Inside Salisbury: Oscar-winning actress brings smiles to patients
Special Stars Appeal visitor and Summer Reading Challenge
By Annette J Beveridge
STAR of The Crown and The Favourite, Olivia Colman CBE brought many smiles to patients’ faces when she visited Salisbury District Hospital wards as patron of the Stars Appeal charity.
After being updated on the charity’s recent achievements, Olivia was accompanied by the charity’s president, The Earl of Pembroke, and Lady Pembroke on a tour led by Dave Cates, the charity’s Director of Fundraising. Olivia met with patients and hospital staff on the Spinal Treatment Centre and the Children’s Ward.
Olivia said: “It was such a pleasure to visit Salisbury Hospital again, and to meet so many inspirational patients and families in the Spinal Centre and Children’s Ward. It was clear to see the difference that the generosity shown by Stars Appeal supporters is making across the Hospital. As Patron, my heartfelt thanks go out to all of our brilliant donors, fundraisers and volunteers.”
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Lola Patton, 7, was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago and was visited by Olivia on the Children’s Ward.
Her mum, Chloe Beresford, said: “It was very exciting meeting Olivia Colman. It was such a nice surprise and made our day. She is the first actor and celebrity Lola has ever met.”
Lola’s favourite part of the visit was introducing Olivia to all her teddies and chatting about their favourite foods. On the day of the visit, Lola had been disappointed to miss out on having her school photo taken, but having her picture taken with the Paddington in Peru star helped make up for it.
Sue Newman, 79, who is being treated on the Spinal Unit said: “Meeting Olivia was a really uplifting experience. To see her in the flesh was delightful, she was so very friendly. Life on the Spinal Unit can be really challenging and rewarding. To have a visit from someone like Olivia really lifts your spirits. We were all so delighted to meet her.”
Lord Pembroke added: “Lady Pembroke and I were delighted to welcome Olivia to the hospital and to meet so many patients. Olivia’s support is vital to us and her visit really boosted the morale of all those patients and staff that we had the privilege of meeting.”
Dr Rowena Staples, Children’s Ward Consultant and Stars Appeal Ambassador, said: “It was an absolute privilege to welcome Olivia to the Children’s Ward and to see the smiles on the faces of the children and parents who met her. It brought so much joy to the children undergoing treatment here, and to their families, who are often experiencing very difficult times. My thanks go to Olivia and Lord and Lady Pembroke.”
Summer Reading Challenge
A CHALLENGE to help children explore their imaginations and to build reading confidence begins in July.
The Summer Reading Challenge’s Story Garden theme aims to help children aged from 4 years to 11 years discover the joy of books over the summer holidays.
Children can sign up for free from ‘Super Sign-Up Saturday’ on July 5, with the challenge running until September 6. From Monday, July 21, they’ll be able to start collecting stickers for each book read and will earn a certificate and badge when they complete the challenge by reading six books (or the equivalent).
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This year’s theme is Story Garden - Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors. It celebrates the connection between storytelling and nature. Children can read any books of their choice, including eBooks and audiobooks.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement and Corporate Services, Mel Jacob, said: “This much-loved and important campaign encourages children to keep reading over the summer in a fun and accessible way. It also gives families and carers a way to support reading at home – and helps prevent the learning dip that can happen over the holidays.”
In addition to the core challenge, some libraries will also be offering special themed activities, as well as regular activities such as rhyme times and reading challenges for younger and older children. Children can also take part online. Click here for more details.
In 2024, more than 6,500 children across the county took part in the challenge, with 84% saying it helped them enjoy reading more, and nearly 90% saying it made them feel happy.
Photo credits: Picture 1: Olivia Colman with Lily-Eva Cole. Picture by Spencer Mulholland/Emma Scott and her mum Tina meeting Olivia Colman/Mark Houghton meeting Olivia Colman. Picture 2: Olivia Colman, Lily-Eva Cole and Lord Pembroke. Picture by Spencer Mulholland. Picture 3: Lola Patton and her mum Chloe Beresford with Olivia Colman on Sarum Children’s Ward. Picture by Spencer Mulholland. Picture 4: Olivia Colman with staff on Sarum Ward and Lord Pembroke. Picture by Spencer Mulholland. Picture 5: Olivia with Lola Patton and her mum Chloe. Picture 6: Spinal Treatment Centre therapists with Olivia Colman. Picture 7: Spinal Treatment Centre patient Sue Newman with Olivia Colman. Picture 8. Olivia Colman with Lord and Lady Pembroke, and Spinal Treatment Centre staff and Stars Appeal Ambassadors Jane Temblett and Rachael Coulson-Smith.