Walk for Wards in Salisbury helps support specialist suite for bereaved parents

The Stars Appeal said it is the most ever raised by their flagship event, Walk for Wards

A space for parents who have lost babies shortly before or after birth is one of the projects being supported by a huge charity walk.

People who have used Salisbury District Hospital's Benson Suite said it gives parents "privacy and dignity".

The Walk for Wards, run by the Stars Appeal charity, raised a record-breaking total this year of £157,922.

Consultant Haematologist and Stars Appeal Ambassador Dr Tracey Parker said they were "hugely grateful".

The Benson suite is just one of 41 different wards, departments and projects that will be supported through the fundraising.

The previous Walk for Wards fundraising record was from 2016 when £121,000 was raised.

Many of those taking part in the annual walk said they did it to thank the hospital or to dedicate their walk in memory of a loved one.

Tamar Vellacott and Cameron Pratt were cared for in the Benson Suite after the death of their baby Albie

Tamar Vellacott and her partner Cameron Pratt, from Salisbury, were supported at the Benson Suite after the loss of their baby son Albie in February 2022.

"We walked out of there feeling supported, loved and that our baby had been born and died surrounded by so many people who cared, which is all you could ever want," Ms Vellacott said.

The Benson suite provides a dedicated, private space where bereaved families can spend time with their babies and grieve away from the main Labour Ward.

Donations to the Walk for Wards enable the Stars Appeal to fund a specialist bereavement midwife as well as maintain and enhance the space.

Ms Vellacott said the midwife's "knowledge and empathy will stay with us forever".

More than 2,000 people turned out for the event in July

More than 2,000 people turned out for the 2023 Walk for Wards in July in the grounds of Wilton House.

The money raised through the event will now go towards a £1m target that the charity is aiming to raise this year.

Others areas being supported include the Neonatal Unit to help fund new equipment, the Spinal Treatment Centre to provide recreational activities for patients and the Pembroke Unit for projects supporting cancer patients.

Dr Parker said: "We are deeply touched and hugely grateful that so many of our patients and their families took part in Walk for Wards 2023 and, despite the challenging times we face, raised this record-breaking sum of money.

"Every day I see first-hand the difference the charity makes for patients, their loved ones, and staff through the incredible range of projects that Stars Appeal supporters enable us to fund."