A group of 33 local people have set off on a trek through the Colombian rainforest to raise money for the Stars Appeal.
A special send-off event took place at Salisbury District Hospital on Saturday (April 20). Senior medical staff, who volunteer as Stars Appeal ambassadors addressed the crowd and spoke about the impact the charity has on the hospital and their patients. Entertainment was also provided by local group All at Sea.
The group of trekkers are walking to the 1500-year-old Lost City of Teyuna. They will be trekking for up to 12-hours a day in around 30 degrees heat and 90 per cent humidity, staying in simple communal bunkhouses.
In his speech Stars Appeal Hospital Ambassador and Nurse Consultant caring for older people, James Lee, said: “Every single day my hospital colleagues and I see the difference the Stars Appeal makes to patients and their families.
"There are so many examples, the Stars Appeal MRI scanner helps us to diagnose patients more quickly and we will soon be opening our new Imber Ward for older patients with state-of-the-art facilities and furnishings funded by the incredible generosity of Stars Appeal donors.
“For our older patients a hospital stay can be a bewildering, frightening and lonely experience. Thanks to the Stars Appeal we can provide our older patients with an Engage volunteer to spend time with patients, in conversation, reminiscing, reading or listening to music. This lifts moods and raise hope, having a real effect on engagement with therapy and helping people get better and get home sooner.
“These are just a few examples of the many wide-ranging Stars Appeal projects that change lives every day here at Salisbury Hospital. But one thing unites them all, none of them would be possible without the brilliant support of local people.”
He added: “I want to wish all the trekkers the very best on their epic adventure to Colombia’s Lost City and to thank them, and everyone who is supporting them.”
All of the trekkers have paid for the costs of their trek and together hope to raise more than £50,000.
To make a donation to the Stars Appeal visit www.starsappeal.org or call 01722 429005.
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