About us:

The Stars Appeal is the charity for Salisbury District Hospital. Every day we help hundreds of patients at Salisbury District Hospital, their families and the NHS staff who care for them.

 
With the help of people like our trekkers and their supporters, we aim to raise £1million+ every year to continue this important work. From new equipment, enhancements to buildings and accommodation for parents and families. To ongoing projects including free WiFi, 24/7 chaplains, creative and complementary therapies, gardens for staff, patients and families, support for patients with cancer, and a Play Assistant on Sarum Children’s Ward.

Our 2026 Fundraising Challenge - Dalai Lama Mountain Trek 

Our fundraising treks challenge supporters from sign-up to finish line, as they raise vital funds for our hospital charity, train and trek with new-found friends, and experience breathtaking scenery and fascinating culture. 

For our sixth trek, our challenge explores the beautiful landscapes that surround Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj in NorthWestern India. This is a tough trek, full of natural beauty and cultural discovery. 

Our trekkers are taking on FOUR challenges …

The challenge of TREKKING – walking at altitude (up to 3200m) for up to 9 hours a day, through pastures, paths and passes in the southernmost ridges of the Himalayas. 

The challenge of BEING PART OF A GROUP – travelling, camping and sharing cold showers, squat loos and mealtimes with 30+ trekkers, and coping cheerfully with early starts, disrupted sleep, unfamiliar food, sore feet, and being far from home. 

The CULTURAL challenge – India is famous for its welcoming people, delicious food, beautiful scenery and sometimes chaotic and colourful cities. 

The FUNDRAISING challenge - Every trekker must pledge to raise at least £2,000 for the Stars Appeal, as well as paying for all their own trek and travel costs.

Get a flavour of what a Stars Appeal Trek is like from our video of our 2024 Trek to Colombia’s Lost City

Everything our 2026 Trekkers raise will go straight towards helping patients, their families and Salisbury Hospital staff. 

Thank you for supporting us!