Wiltshire dad to run London Marathon for Stars Appeal Neonatal Unit
Carl Griffett's son's were cared for at Salisbury District Hospital after being born prematurely
Last updated 27th Apr 2025
A Wiltshire dad is running the London Marathon today on behalf of Salisbury District Hospital's charity after both his son's were cared for at the hospital when they were born prematurely.
Carl Griffett is running in support of the Stars Appeal, aiming to raise money for the Neonatal Unit Fund.
His son's Noah, born 2015, and Alfie, born 2018, were born 10 and 11 weeks early owing to a life-threatening pregnancy complication.
The boys were both cared for in the Neonatal Unit, and while they were receiving treatment with equipment funded by the Stars Appeal, parents Carl and Kelly were able to stay in the Stars Appeal parents accommodation.
“Without the Stars Appeal, we wouldn't have been able to stay with our children during their most vulnerable weeks,” Carl said, adding: “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 parents accommodation on the Neonatal Unit provides four en suite family rooms, six ‘mother and baby’ rooms, plus a playroom, kitchen and quiet room.
Carl says running the London Marathon is something he's long aimed to do, having attempted to secure a place 15 times before. This year, he's bagged his place through work, making it the 11th marathon he's run.
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.”