Apr 29th 2026
A Wiltshire mum is supporting Walk for Wards to thank the “angels” on the Neonatal Unit at Salisbury District Hospital who cared for her baby.
Chantelle Perry and her family are taking part in our flagship fundraising event on Sunday 5th July 5 at Wilton House.
Her son Ryder was born two months early in October 2025 and spent four weeks on the Neonatal Unit. During this time, Chantelle and her partner Richard Hall were able to stay with him in the Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation.
Chantelle, 32, said: “To begin with it was very scary and we were very much in the unknown, however, the staff on Neonatal Unit soon made us feel supported and cared for. People who donate to the Stars Appeal ensured that Ryder’s dad and I could stay in a bedroom next to the ward and could be with our son 24/7.
“We could take it in turns to try and sleep whilst the other was with Ryder. This gave us time to recoup, refresh and relax knowing one of us was with him. Having Richard there to support me made a huge difference to me mentally, physically and emotionally.”
The Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation on the Neonatal Unit provides four en suite family rooms, six ‘mother and baby’ rooms, plus a playroom, kitchen and quiet room. It is one of the only Neonatal Units in the country where every mum can stay with their baby.
Chantelle, who lives in Collingbourne Ducis, about a 45-minute drive from the hospital, adds: “If we hadn’t been able to stay with Ryder, it would have been so much harder to process everything that was going on. Every mum wants to be with her baby, especially when they are poorly.”
The Stars Appeal also provide the latest equipment including state-of-the-art incubators and phototherapy lamps to treat babies with jaundice, as well as soothing live music.
Chantelle said: “We cannot wait to do Walk for Wards. We are doing it to give something back to the Neonatal Unit. The staff are truly angels that walk this earth. The hours and love they put in to care for Ryder and our family was outstanding. We couldn’t have got through it all without the Neonatal Unit and the Stars Appeal who supported us every step of the way.”
To support families like Chantelle’s, sign up to Walk for Wards on Sunday 5th July at Wilton House by clicking the yellow buttons or the link here, www.starsappeal.org/event/walk-for-wards/
Participants can walk 3k, 5k, 10k or 15k for their chosen ward or department at Salisbury Hospital. Registration is free and entry includes lunch and admission to the Wilton House gardens and adventure playground.