Feb 20th 2026
We were delighted to welcome Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, to Salisbury District Hospital to see first-hand the impact of projects funded by the charity.
During her visit, Ellie toured a range of hospital facilities supported by the Stars Appeal, including the Neonatal Unit and its parents’ accommodation, the Stars Appeal funded David A Brown Breast Unit, and the Sarum Children’s Ward, where she met two-year-old patient Mack and his parents, Jack and Bethany Mitchell.
She also observed a live demonstration in the hospital’s Stars Appeal supported Simulation Suite, met the hospital’s chaplaincy team (funded by the charity), learned about the impact of the Stars Appeal Staff Counsellor, and spent time with a patient benefitting from the charity’s companionship programme, Stars Appeal Engagers. The visit also featured music from the Stars Appeal Live Project.
Ellie met our clinical ambassadors including Consultant Surgeon Mr Graham Branagan, Cancer Consultant Dr Tracey Parker and Paediatric Consultant Dr Rowena Staples, alongside patient ambassadors Richard Joy and Adrian Abbott. They discussed how our projects are enhancing care and supporting patients, families and staff across the hospital.
The visit provided an opportunity for the charity to thank Ellie and everyone at NHS Charities Together for the grants awarded to us over the past five years, which have supported many of the initiatives showcased during her tour.
Ellie Orton OBE said: “It’s clear that the Stars Appeal is such a vital part of Salisbury District Hospital and the wider community. It was so special to meet the patients, staff, ambassadors, and volunteers who bring this work to life. There is such a powerful sense of ownership and gratitude within the Stars Appeal community, and that collective commitment shines through in every project I visited. We’re proud to support their work and stand alongside them in championing the impact of NHS charities.”
Mr Graham Branagan, Consultant Surgeon and Chairman of the Stars Appeal Clinical Ambassadors added: “It was a pleasure to welcome Ellie to the hospital and to show her first-hand how Stars Appeal donors, including NHS Charities Together, are making such a big difference to patients, families and staff at Salisbury District Hospital. We very much look forward to continuing to work alongside Ellie and all at NHS Charities Together as we strive to do more to enhance care here at Salisbury Hospital and support the work of the wider NHS charity sector.”
