‘We’re walking for the ward that saved our son’s life’, says family

“THEY saved his life.”

And now a Fordingbridge family is taking part in the Stars Appeal’s Walk for Wards in a bid to thank staff at Salisbury Hospital who saved baby Taylor, who became ill at the age of just two weeks.

Shelley, pictured right with Taylor, and Chris Perkins’ son was brought into Salisbury District Hospital in October 2022 after he suddenly became very ill. When he arrived on the children’s ward, his condition worsened and the situation became critical as doctors had to resuscitate the baby, who was later found to have a heart defect that was restricting the blood flow.

“It was terrifying,” said mum Shelley. “Within five or 10 minutes there were over a dozen people working on him. They saved his life.”

Baby Taylor, who is now seven-months-old, had to go to Southampton for surgery but has since been admitted to the Sarum Ward at Salisbury Hospital several times when he was ill over winter and visits regularly for help with his feeding tube.

Shelley praised the “amazing” Salisbury Hospital staff who treated Taylor and continue to care for him and says that “each time we have been looked after so well and are so grateful to everyone on the ward”.

Donations to the Stars Appeal fund enhancements to the furnishings, décor and artwork on the Sarum Ward along with multi-sensory toys and other play equipment, as well as diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation equipment.

The charity also provides free accommodation for families, including a dedicated parents’ flat and pull-down beds, so parents can stay by their child’s bedside in hospital.

“When we were there I was able to stay with him in the beds provided by the Stars Appeal,” Shelley added. “I don’t know what I would have done without that.”

Taylor is doing well but will have to have more operations in the future.

And Shelley said the efforts of staff to save their son were reason enough to take on the Walk for Wards, which takes place on July 9 at Wilton House.

“If they hadn’t have done what they did we wouldn’t be in the position to have Taylor with us anymore,” she said.

“We wanted to be able to do something to help other people that might be in our situation.”

To donate go to their JustGiving page visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/shelley-perkins1 To sign up for Walk for Wards, visit starsappeal.org/event/ walk-for-wards

Local care home residents head out onto the water

RESIDENTS from Milford House Care Home in Salisbury were plain sailing with a recent outing onto Southampton Water with the Solent Dolphin team.

The cruise on the MV Alison MacGregor set out from Hythe Marine and sailed out through the lock – which was an adventure in itself – onto Southampton Water, as well as taking the scenic route past houses and moored boats along the mouth of the River Hamble.

While taking in the sights, the residents also enjoyed tea on board provided by the volunteer crew of the Alison MacGregor.

Gemma Hicks, general manager of Milford House, said: “Our residents had a whale of a time on the cruise. Adventures that take place outside of the home are a regular event for the residents, and we always ask for ideas on where they would best like to go and this has always been a firm favourite.

“The day was a lot of fun, residents were able to enjoy a simply gorgeous sunny afternoon on the water admiring the sights and sounds and everyone has been buzzing about the trip ever since.

“We are already looking forward to another trip later in the summer.”

A resident who enjoyed the afternoon commented: “We had an absolutely brilliant time and it was wonderful to be out on the water. The crew on board were also great, telling us all about the sights we were cruising past, giving us tea and chatting with us throughout the afternoon – nothing was too much trouble.

“Thank you to everyone involved.”