New Year, New You, New Challenges for the Stars Appeal

For 2025, the Stars Appeal is asking local people to take on a new challenge in support of projects benefiting patients and staff in Salisbury Hospital.

After 10 years of successful treks and as the 20th Walk for Wards approaches, this year, adventurers have a choice of Stars Appeal fundraising challenges. Participants will help to change the lives of patients, their families, and the NHS staff who care for them at Salisbury Hospital. And they could change their own lives too, making new friends, exploring unfamiliar places, or taking on activities they’ve never tried before.

September’s Pedal for the Stars challenge is top of the list, a sponsored bike ride of 250 miles over four days from Salisbury Hospital to Paris. Keen cyclists, this is for you! Commemorating Salisbury Hospital’s connection with the Armed Forces, the route takes in sites in France with links to the Normandy Landings and D-Day before finishing under the iconic Eiffel Tower. There’s a chance to learn more at an information evening in Salisbury City Centre on Monday 20th January.

Those who prefer to walk can squeeze a magical adventure into a weekend, tackling the highest mountain in Wales in the dark on the Snowdon by Night trek in June.

In July, the Stars Appeal celebrates the 20th Walk for Wards with a new 15km route exploring more of the beautiful grounds of Wilton House, as well as the established 3km, 5km and 10km routes.

Runners aren’t forgotten, with a choice of 3km, 5km, 10km and half marathon races this May, kindly organised by the Race for Men team.

If all of those are too close to the ground, the Stars Appeal invites adrenaline junkies to skydive at Old Sarum throughout the year.

Cycle? Walk? Run? Jump? Each challenge will be an experience to remember.

Participants will have the satisfaction of raising vital funds for a much-loved local charity, helping to fund new equipment, enhancements to buildings, and ongoing projects supporting patients across Salisbury Hospital, including the Stars Appeal Wi-Fi, hospital chaplaincy, support for patients with cancer and the Stars Appeal Play Assistant on Sarum Children’s Ward.

Chair of the Stars Appeal Ambassadors, consultant surgeon Mr Graham Branagan, who completed a cycling challenge for the charity, said, “Getting out of your comfort zone really inspires supporters to sponsor you. Training for your adventure is a brilliant way to get fit and connect with friends and colleagues. And the team spirit on these organised challenges is so supportive. What better way to support our hospital charity than by challenging yourself to do something different?”

To find out more or to get involved in any of the above challenges, go to starsappeal.org/events