Date: 17 February 2010

 

Press Release

 

READY TEDDY GO

 

Teddies from across the Salisbury area are invited to bravely take to the skies in a huge sponsored teddy parachute jump at Salisbury Cathedral on Saturday April 24.

 

The event sponsored by local family business Wilton Wholefoods will help the Stars Appeal’s Caring 4 Kids campaign.

 

The campaign is aiming to raise £500,000 to create a dedicated children’s waiting and treatment area in the Accident & Emergency Department and a Family Accommodation Unit for the parents and siblings of premature and critically ill babies at Salisbury District Hospital.

 

Teddy owners are asked to register their bears in advance then help them collect sponsorship of at least £10. This exciting opportunity is open to all teddies or similar cuddly friends, and each will receive a special certificate to reward their brave efforts. Last year over 350 teddies jumped, raising more than £11,000.

 

Hannah Paye, Fundraising Co-ordinator for the Stars Appeal said: “The money that we hope to raise will take us a step closer to our target and will make a real difference to thousands of local children and families. I would urge any bears that are keen to jump to register now as the jump is likely to prove very popular.”

 

Solomon Rimer, Partner at Wilton Wholefoods, has a very special reason for sponsoring the event. He said: “Last November my baby daughter was seriously ill and taken to Salisbury District Hospital. Fortunately, she received fantastic attention in Salisbury and the consultant paediatricians helped save her life. She is now doing amazingly well. She has a fortnightly check up at the Day Assessment Unit on the Children’s Ward. We are delighted to be supporting the Appeal’s Teddy Bear Parachuting event because we know how much of a difference the Stars Appeal Caring 4 Kids campaign will make to local families like us.”

 

To register your bear, or for further information, please call Hannah Paye on 01722 429005 or e-mail: info@starsappeal.org. You can also download an entry form at www.starsappeal.org Ends

 

 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Stars Appeal raises money to create the best possible experience for the 300,000 people across South Wiltshire, North and East Dorset and West Hampshire who rely on Salisbury District Hospital. It funds extra care and equipment over and above that provided by the NHS. The Appeal benefits all wards and departments. It also raises money for major projects. Thanks to the generous support of the local community, the Appeal has already funded a number of projects, including special treatment and diagnostic equipment for premature and critically-ill babies and creating a highly advanced keyhole cancer surgery suite.

 

The Appeal’s current major project is the Caring 4 Kids campaign, which aims to fund a range of new facilities and equipment to make life better for thousands of local children in Hospital. These include:

·         A self-contained family unit attached to the Hospital’s special care baby unit (NICU), which will provide parents' accommodation, play rooms and educational facilities for mums, dads and siblings. Currently, many parents face long journeys to visit their babies, but this much needed new facility will enable them to stay close at hand and spend vital additional time with their newborn child.

·         A dedicated children’s waiting and treatment area for the thousands of children that attend the Accident and Emergency department each year.

Thanks to the support of local people, the Stars Appeal Caring 4 Kids campaign has already funded a range of extras including ‘home from home’ rooms, multi-sensory equipment and play areas within the Hospital’s new Children’s Unit that is due to open in December 2010.

 

For further information, please contact:

Hannah Paye

Fundraising Co-ordinator

The Stars Appeal

Salisbury District Hospital. Tel: 01722 429005. www.starsappeal.org

info@starsappeal.org