DETECTIVE Sergeant Nick Bailey will be officially starting the annual Walk for Wards at Wilton House next month.

The walk, in aid of the Stars Appeal, is on Sunday July 7.

DS Bailey received lifesaving care on the Hospital’s Radnor Intensive Care Unit last year after being left critically ill following the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

Detective Sergeant Bailey said “I am delighted to start this year’s Walk for Wards. I am sure we all know someone who has been cared for in some way by the wonderful staff at Salisbury District Hospital and I for one feel very grateful to have such fantastic facilities on our doorstep.

"I was fortunate to be able to walk out of the hospital after a couple of weeks in Radnor Ward and this is down to the skill and determination of the doctors, nurses and other members of staff on the ward.

"They truly are an amazing group of people that spend their days trying to save the lives of critically ill people.

"The Stars Appeal funds projects benefitting tens of thousands of local people each year at the Hospital and this would not happen without your support. I am looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday, July 7.”

The event will again be hosted by the charity’s president the Earl of Pembroke.

It is free to enter and includes lunch and admission to the grounds of Wilton House after the walk, with 3km, 5km or 10km routes available.

All entrants must sign up in advance and pledge to raise at least £20 sponsorship.

Walkers this year can choose to support the Hospital ward or department of their choice. The Walk for Wards is supported by Wilton House, Rotary Club of Wilton, the Salisbury Journal and Spire FM, and the event’s principal sponsor Salisbury Reds.

As well as Starting Walk for Wards, Detective Sergeant Bailey is supporting the Stars Appeal by running a marathon in the city in August to raise funds for the Stars Appeal Radnor Intensive Care Unit Fund.

He has already raised over £11,000 through his online sponsorship page which can be found at justgiving.com/fundraising/nickbailey1772.

So far over 1,500 people have registered for Walk for Wards.

To sign-up visit: starsappeal.org or call 01722 429005