THIRTY five people are going to be lacing up their walking boots and will head to Jordan this week for a trek to raise money for the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s charity.
Many of the trekkers signed up just after the charity’s 2019 Great Wall of China trek, which raised more than £130,000 for projects supporting patients and staff in Salisbury District Hospital.
They have been patiently waiting nearly three years, after the original date in 2021 had to be changed because of Covid.
On Saturday, April 23, they will be setting off on their journey to Petra, where they will brave long days trekking through desert in up to 30C and nights at freezing temperatures with only basic facilities. Their reward will be exploring the ancient city of Petra, one of the modern wonders of the world.
Those taking part include Derek Gibbens, of AFH Wealth Management, Wilton, and Robbie Newton of Stonehenge Plumbing and Heating in Durrington, Personnel Placements’ Lynne Rose, from West Grimstead and Fordingbridge mother and daughter Jo and Chloe Jarvis as well as Kerry Fairclough from Alderholt and Dr Heidi Burrows from Salisbury.
Heidi, pictured above, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2018 and praised the care she received at Salisbury District Hospital.
She said: “Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2018 I have spent a lot of time in various departments at Salisbury District Hospital. Alongside the great care that I received I was also very grateful for the 'extras' that were supported by the Stars Appeal – from the Breast Unit itself and the extra CT scanner to the free wi-fi that I took great advantage of.
"Having a dedicated breast unit meant that all the tests I needed could be done in the same place and reduce the time of waiting for results, and that was such a relief. The extras provided by the Stars Appeal in the Pembroke Suite during my regular visits really helped me. The free wi-fi meant I could work, read the news or watch a film while having chemotherapy, the free head scarf meant I could try different ways to cover my bald head and the sandwiches and tea kept me going! I am currently showing no evidence of disease – you are never 'cured'.
Heidi will be setting off on the trek on the fourth anniversary of the start of her chemotherapy.
Eye consultant Roger Humphry is fundraising in recognition of the state-of-the art equipment the Stars Appeal has funded for the eye department.
Brothers Andy and Dave Key, from Farley, will be trekking in memory of their mother who was a midwife. And current and former members of the maternity team at Salisbury hospital, including Elvie Pearson from Shaftesbury; Jen Stagg from Salisbury; Stacey Burton from Durrington and Corinne Whillock from Wilton will also be trekking.
Colin Ford, a retired police officer from Salisbury, has already raised more than £5,500 for the Stars AppealHe says he wanted to do the trek to “give something back” to the hospital after being diagnosed with cancer.
He said: “In February 2011, aged 50, I was diagnosed as having prostate cancer. I had surgery and all was well. Then in March 2016 it was discovered that I had a cancer in my left ureter (the tube along which fluids pass from the kidneys to the bladder) and had my left kidney together with the ureter removed to get rid of all signs of the cancer. Then that October, following a routine colonoscopy, I was devastated to be told that they had found that I had bowel cancer. Once again I had surgery, followed by a course of chemotherapy, and spent some time in the Pembroke Suite.
“More than five years on from the last surgery, I am well and clear of cancer. All my surgeries, treatment, scans and check-ups have been carried out at Salisbury District Hospital. The consultants, surgeons and everyone concerned with my care have undoubtedly saved my life on at least three occasions. I owe my life to them all and want to give something back. I am trekking to raise money for the Stars Appeal so that they can continue to help the hospital provide the best care for the people in our community as they did and continue to do so for me.”
The trek is organised for the Stars Appeal by Discover Adventure. Every trekker has pledged to raise at least £1,650.
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