A MOTHER is joining the Stars Appeal Walk for Wards to thank the charity after it provided a “home away from home” while her baby received important care.

Francesca Evans gave birth to daughter Margaux two months early in October 2023, with the baby weighing only 3lbs.

This resulted in Margaux being cared for on the neonatal unit at Salisbury Hospital while Francesca and her husband Tim stayed in the Stars Appeal’s parents’ accommodation on the unit.

As a way to thank the charity, Francesca and her family will be taking part in Walk for Wards at Wilton House in support of the neonatal unit on July 6.

The 35-year-old teacher said: “I cried when I saw her for the first time. She looked so small and fragile in this huge incubator.

“When I got to hold her, she was still on oxygen and had lots of wires attached to the machines.”

She added: “Knowing that she would be in hospital for a long time I was frightened that I wouldn’t be able to be with her.

“Having the Stars Appeal family room meant that I could be there all the time for Margaux. It gave us that home away from home.

“We had a space to come together as a family.”

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The Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation on the neonatal unit provides four en suite family rooms, six ‘mother and baby’ rooms, plus a playroom, kitchen and quiet room.

The Stars Appeal-funded facilities mean that it is one of the only neonatal units in the country where every mum can stay with their baby.

Francesca later moved to one of the mother and baby rooms with Margaux, who is now 17 months old.

She said: “One of my worries was that I wouldn’t be able to create that bond with Margaux that I had with my son Rex.

“I wouldn’t have had that bond if I had to go home every day and wasn’t able to stay with her.”

Margaux in the Neonatal Unit Picture: Stars Appeal

The Stars Appeal-funded playroom also enabled her to spend quality time with her four-year-old son Rex, who loved playing with all the toys.

And the soothing live music played by Stars Appeal Live artists every week was a highlight of Francesca’s stay.

“When you’re sat in there and all you hear is the beeping of the machines it was wonderful to have live music,” she said.

“It was something I looked forward to. Sitting there holding Margaux and having the music playing is something that will live with me forever as it was so special for me.

“The accommodation and support provided by the Stars Appeal gives you a solid foundation to becoming a parent because you can be there with your baby from day one. We were able to read a bedtime book together around Margaux’s incubator.

“Without the things the Stars Appeal gave to us we wouldn’t have such a strong bond together when we started our life as a family of four.

“I can’t thank the Neonatal Unit and the Stars Appeal enough. They made what could have been a very daunting, scary and life-changing experience so positive.”

To support families like Francesca’s, sign up to the Stars Appeal’s 20th Walk for Wards on Sunday, July 6 at Wilton House.

Participants can walk 3k, 5k, 10k or the new 15k route for their chosen ward or department at Salisbury Hospital.

Register for free at www.starsappeal.org/event/walk-for-wards/