Almost 2,000 signed up to Walk for Wards as entry deadline approaches
Entries are still open - but they close this Sunday!
Stars Appeal’s biggest event of the year, Walk for Wards, is fast approaching and almost 2,000 people have signed up already, but the closing date for entries is closing fast.
The closing date for sign ups is this Sunday (2nd July), with the walk at Wilton House on Sunday 9th July.
The event raises crucial funding for various wards of the Salisbury District Hospital, with the target being more than £100,000.
People join the walk to remember lost loved ones or to say “thank you” to the hospital staff, and are able to raise money for specific wards that have helped them or a family member.
Three routes of different lengths are on offer, a friendly 3km, a challenging 5km, and an even more challenging 10km walk, which includes woodland areas.
How 'incredible' funding target will be put to use
We spoke to Stars Appeal’s events and fundraising manager Helena Sinclair, she told us achieving the £100k target would be “incredible”.
“The funding enables us to fund projects across the whole hospital, such as the Benson Suit, the Chaplains and previously Walk for Wards has helped to fund the breast cancer unit at the Hospital,” she said.
Helena added: “Going forwards for this year, we have lots of projects and aims we want to help fund through money raised at the walk.
“One of those includes a fourth echocardiogram machine for the Cardiac Investigation Unit, which will help speed waiting times for patients. Those alone cost £140,000!”
'Smashing' sign up targets
As the number of sign ups steadily increases, Helena told us the target number of people participating keeps rising because it keeps getting ‘smashed’.
She told us that passing the 2,000 sign ups would be “fantastic”. “I have no doubt we will go over that.”
Registering is free and has to be done in advance, with a minimum raised sponsorship of £20.
Sign up online here, or visit the Stars Appeal offices at the Hospital and complete a registration form there.