THERE are just over two weeks left to sign up for one of Salisbury Hospital’s biggest fundraising events of the year.

The Stars Appeal’s Walk for Wards returns to Wilton House on Sunday, July 5, giving people the chance to walk in memory of loved ones or thank the hospital teams who cared for them.

Participants can choose from 3k, 5k, 10k or 15k routes, with money raised supporting Salisbury District Hospital.

Every year, hundreds take part to support wards and departments that made a difference during difficult moments in their lives.

Among them are Lucy and Alex Peake, from East Dorset, who are walking 5k in memory of their sons Rowan and Ethan, lost during separate pregnancies in 2024.

Lucy Peake with her son Ned at Walk for Wards. (Picture: Simon Ward)

This will be the family’s third Walk for Wards – but their first alongside baby son Finley, born last year, and older son Ned, aged eight.

They are raising money for the hospital’s Stars Appeal Benson Suite, which cared for them after Rowan’s death. The suite offers private support for families experiencing baby loss.

Lucy said: “The Benson Suite made such a difference, giving us privacy and our own space during one of the worst times of our life.

“We are blessed this year to walk with our son Finley. It means so much to us to walk to remember our beautiful boys Rowan and Ethan and support the Benson Suite.”

Also taking part is Robina Orchard, from Devizes, who will walk 10k in memory of her husband Maurice, who died in January after treatment for bowel cancer.

Maurice and Robina Orchard.

She said: “The staff there were wonderful. The Stars Appeal is a charity close to our hearts.”

Walk for Wards is held by permission of Lord and Lady Pembroke and sponsored by Salisbury Reds.

Registration is free and closes on Sunday, June 28. For more information, visit www.starsappeal.org or call 01722 429005.