Jun 30th 2025
We were thrilled to welcome our patron Olivia Colman CBE to the Hospital on Monday 23rd June!
The Oscar-winning actress, who has starred in The Crown and The Favourite, brought lots of smiles to patients’ faces during a special visit.
After being updated on the charity’s recent achievements, she was accompanied by the charity’s president, The Earl of Pembroke, and Lady Pembroke on a tour led by Dave Cates, the charity’s director of fundraising. Olivia met with patients and hospital staff on the Spinal Treatment Centre and the Children’s Ward.
Olivia said: “It was such a pleasure to visit Salisbury Hospital again, and to meet so many inspirational patients and families in the Spinal Centre and Children’s Ward. It was clear to see the difference that the generosity shown by Stars Appeal supporters is making across the Hospital. As Patron, my heartfelt thanks go out to all of our brilliant donors, fundraisers and volunteers.”
Seven-year-old Lola Patton, who was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was five, was visited by Olivia on the Children’s Ward. She is picture below right with her mum Chloe.
Her mum Chloe Beresford said: “It was very exciting meeting Olivia Colman. It was such a nice surprise and made our day. She is the first actor and celebrity Lola has ever met.”
Lola’s favourite part of the visit was introducing Olivia to all her teddies and chatting about their favourite foods. On the day of the visit, Lola had been disappointed to miss out on having her school photo taken but having her picture taken with the Paddington in Peru star helped make up for it.
Lola added: “I can’t believe I met somebody off of a movie. Olivia was really fun and kind.”
Olivia also spent time with nine-year-old Lily-Eva Cole, pictured below left, who is currently undergoing treatment for kidney cancer. She said: “I loved meeting Olivia Colman. She was fun and playful. She played with me on the play deck and told me a story about buttered bread with hundreds and thousands on top. My doctor, Row, opened the play deck for us so I felt like a VIP.”
Mark Houghton MBE, 58, who is being cared for on the Spinal Unit after an accident, met Olivia during his physiotherapy session. He said: “It was quite emotional as it was only the second time I’ve been able to stand since my accident so it was really exciting that Olivia was able to see that. I’ve watched all the series of The Crown, it was truly amazing to meet her. I’ll remember all the laughing and jokes.”
Emma Scott, 36, who is being treated on the Spinal Unit, added: “It was great to meet Olivia, I love her in Peep Show and The Crown. She was really sweet and down to earth. It was such a surprise to see her here. It lifted everyone’s spirits. I’m really chuffed I got to meet Olivia.”
Sue Newman, 79, who is being treated on the Spinal Unit said: “Meeting Olivia was a really uplifting experience. To see her in the flesh was delightful, she was so very friendly. Life on the Spinal Unit can be really challenging and rewarding. To have a visit from someone like Olivia really lifts your spirits. We were all so delighted to meet her.”
Olivia previously visited with her The Crown co-star Josh O’Connor in January 2020, when they toured projects funded by the Stars Appeal and met some of the patients and families that the charity support on the Neonatal Unit and Pembroke Cancer Unit.
Lord Pembroke added: “Lady Pembroke and I were delighted to welcome Olivia to the hospital and to meet so many patients. Olivia’s support is vital to us and her visit really boosted the morale of all those patients and staff that we had the privilege of meeting.”
Dr Rowena Staples, Children’s Ward Consultant and Stars Appeal Ambassador, said: “It was an absolute privilege to welcome Olivia to the Children’s Ward and to see the smiles on the faces of the children and parents who met her. It brought so much joy to the children undergoing treatment here, and to their families, who are often experiencing very difficult times. My thanks go to Olivia and Lord and Lady Pembroke.”