Inside Salisbury: Durrington man gets his dream challenge after being turned down multiple times

Durrington man aims to raise money as a 'thank you' for Salisbury Hospital Stars Appeal

By Annette J Beveridge

A father from Durrington has set his focus on a considerable challenge and plans to run in the London Marathon this month despite being turned down 15 times.

Carl Griffett is running in the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) London Marathon on Sunday, April 27. His aim is to raise money for the Stars Appeal’s Neonatal Unit Fund after his sons Noah, born in 2015, and Alfie, born in 2018, were both cared for in the Neonatal Unit at Salisbury Hospital.

The 40-year-old said: “My wife Kelly suffered from a life-threatening pregnancy complication forcing the doctor to deliver our firstborn, Noah, at 30 weeks. Noah stayed in the Neonatal Unit for six weeks, and in that time, he was cared for by the amazing nurses in Salisbury, spending many weeks in incubators purchased by Stars Appeal.

“Alfie was born at 29 weeks due to the same complication. Unfortunately, he suffered a pneumothorax after one day and was rushed to Portsmouth to receive care. After a  couple of weeks, my wife and Alfie returned to Salisbury Hospital, where they spent five weeks in the care of the Neonatal Unit.”

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On both occasions, Carl and his wife stayed with their sons in the Neonatal Unit in the Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation.

Carl said: “Without the Stars Appeal, we wouldn't have been able to stay with our children during their most vulnerable weeks. The suite provided a safe space to escape to some normality amongst all the crazy goings on.

“It was a Godsend. Once my wife was well enough herself, her maternal instincts kicked in, and she didn't want to be away from either child. It allowed me to feel involved too, as I could give my wife a rest from feeding and help out in the night.”

The Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation on the Neonatal Unit provides four ensuite family rooms, six mother and baby rooms, plus a playroom, kitchen and quiet room. The Stars Appeal funded facilities mean it is one of the only Neonatal Units in the country where every mum can stay with their baby.

Carl has already completed 10 marathons, but is excited to participate in the London Marathon as he has tried 15 times to secure a place.

He said: “Running the London Marathon has always been a dream for me. It's a great personal achievement to finally be running London, but it also gives me the opportunity to give back to a charity that has provided so much to me and my family.”

Carl’s sponsorship page can be found here.

Anyone interested in securing a place in the London Marathon for the Stars Appeal, click here.