A MUM is stepping out to say thank you to the “angels” who helped save her baby’s life and she is inviting the community to join her.

Chantelle Perry, 32, and her family will take part in the Stars Appeal’s Walk for Wards this summer, raising money for the charity that supports Salisbury District Hospital.

Her son Ryder was born two months early in October 2025 and spent four weeks on the hospital’s Neonatal Unit – a time Chantelle describes as both frightening and life-changing.

Ryder on the unit receiving life-saving care.

She said: “To begin with it was very scary and we were very much in the unknown, however, the staff on the neonatal unit soon made us feel supported and cared for.

“People who donate to the Stars Appeal ensured that Ryder’s dad and I could stay in a bedroom next to the ward and could be with our son 24/7.

“We could take it in turns to sleep whilst the other was with Ryder. This gave us time to recoup, refresh and relax knowing one of us was with him.

“Having Richard there to support me made a huge difference to me mentally, physically and emotionally.”

The Stars Appeal-funded accommodation meant Chantelle and her partner could stay close to Ryder throughout his care; something she says made an enormous difference.

She added: “If we hadn’t been able to stay with Ryder, it would have been so much harder to process everything that was going on. Every mum wants to be with her baby, especially when they are poorly.”

Now, the family is preparing to give something back by joining the charity’s flagship fundraiser at Wilton House on Sunday, July 5.

Chantelle said: “We cannot wait to do Walk for Wards. We are doing it to give something back to the Neonatal Unit. The staff are truly angels that walk this earth.

“The hours and love they put in to care for Ryder and our family was outstanding. We couldn’t have got through it all without the Neonatal Unit and the Stars Appeal who supported us every step of the way.”

Participants can choose from 3k, 5k, 10k or 15k routes, with free registration, lunch and access to the gardens – all in support of families like Chantelle’s.