A FAMILY – including triplets who spent five weeks in Salisbury Hospital – are putting their best feet forward for a charity effort.

Chantelle Sims, 24, and her husband Mason, 25, will be taking part in the Walk For Wards sponsored walk at Wilton House on Sunday, July 7, with their children Jenson, six, Reggie, three, and six-month-old triplets Brody, Albie and Archie.

The Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity, provides a range of enhancements on the Neonatal Unit including parents’ accommodation, state-of-the-art equipment such as incubators and monitors, free Wi-Fi, chaplaincy services and soothing music played by live musicians.

Chantelle, who gave birth to her triplets in August 2023 at 30 weeks, said: “The Stars Appeal supported us in so many ways while the triplets were in the Neonatal Unit.

The triplets were cared for at Salisbury Hospital

“The accommodation I stayed in while they were in hospital meant I could be closer to them and helped me to get ready for taking them home.

“The free wifi enabled us to Facetime family and friends, and the Stars Appeal playroom gave our older children space to go and play when they needed a break. The charity also funded some of the vital equipment that helped to keep our boys alive and here with us today.”

The family also benefited from the support of the chaplains and other projects funded by the charity, like Stars Appeal Live musicians playing lullabies and the Stars Appeal Aromatherapist, who offers parents hand and foot massages, which Chantelle said “brightens up the day”.

“It’s important to have this kind of support available when you’ve just been through what feels like some of the worst times possible in life,” she added.

“It also allows you to be more focused on your babies and have fewer things to worry about.”

The trio on the Neonatal ward at Salisbury Hospital

The family, who are now doing well at home in Larkhill, will be raising money for the Neonatal Unit and said staff who cared for them are “real-life angels”.

Chantelle said: “The Neonatal Unit is hugely close to our hearts, and we are extremely grateful for everything they have done for the triplets and our family.”

To register for Walk for Wards for free, walkers need to commit to raising £20 per person. Participants can choose from a 3k, 5k or 10k route.

For more information, and to sign up, visit www.starsappeal.org/event/walk-for-wards. To sponsor the Sims family, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TheSimsTriplets.

READ MORE: 2024 Walk For Wards: How you can sign up