Thousands to join walk for hospital charity

Last year's event raised more than £150,000

Thousands of people are taking on a charity walk to raise money for a hospital appeal.

The Walk for Wards sees participants walking up to 10km (6.2 miles), with the option of taking on 3km or 5km, next month (July 7).

Money raised will go to the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s charity.

Among those taking part is Jean Chambers, 77, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

She said: "Having cancer treatment makes you realise how many people are going through it too."

Jean Chambers is taking part after the charity made her cancer treatment more comfortable

Jean is currently being treated at Salisbury Hospital, and said a number of projects funded by the appeal make her time there more comfortable.

She said the free refreshments, reclining chairs and even aromatherapy sessions are “such a relief” and provide those “little home comforts”.

Jean will be taking on the full 10km distance. She said she signed up because she wants others to get the same support she has had from the charity.

Making a difference

Jean has been receiving her treatment at the hospital's Pembroke Unit, where she said the staff are "so welcoming" and "you feel someone is there to hold your hand every step of the way."

She said getting involved in the Walk for Wards was a way to thank them.

She added: "Long may the Stars Appeal continue what it’s doing and making patients feel more comfortable during a very stressful time in their lives.”

The unit is just one of the areas benefiting from the charity.

The Stars Appeal also supports a range of other facilities at Salisbury Hospital.

These include providing beds for the parents of children being treated, state of the art incubators for the neonatal ward, and advanced rehabilitation equipment for older patients.

The Walk for Wards helps to fund all of these facilities, with last year's event raising £157,000.

The event takes place in the grounds of the historic Wilton House just outside the town.