Bi-annual event for Salisbury District Hospital charity enters final day
The Berwick St John Country Fayre raises money for the Stars Appeal
A bi-annual event supporting Salisbury District Hospital enters its final day today (Sunday 15th September).
The Berwick St John Country Fayre, held every other year, raises money for the Stars Appeal and is welcoming thousands of visitors this weekend.
The fayre started on Friday with live music, on an outdoor stage for the first time, and features attractions like steam engines, vintage tractors, the dog show and classic cars.
Organiser Louise Hall told Greatest Hits Radio the fact that the event isn't on every year helps it keep it's novelty.
"We couldn't do it every year because of the voluntary capacity that everyone puts in and that's what also makes it so special that people do look forward to it. It's not a guarantee," she said.
Last held in 2022, the event raised £63,000 for the Hospital's charity.
Louise told us the event wouldn't be so successful without it's partnership alongside the Stars Appeal.
"It's a charity that's close to everybody's heart," she said, adding: "Sadly, between our two shows, there's probably 10 people sort of on the committee, that have had to use the hospital for one reason or another."
And with local people and businesses who sponsor the event knowing that every pound makes a difference, Louise said it's not a difficult charity to sell for people to get behind.
That's because people in Salisbury feel a sense of ownership of both the hospital and the charity.
"They believe it's their hospital, their charity, and they'll all do just what they can and need to support it," Louise said.
And that statement is backed up by the number of people baking cakes and finding numerous other ways to support the event, which donates what it raises to a charity so important to local people.
Dave Cates, from the Stars Appeal, said: “We are thrilled to once again be the beneficiary of this marvellous traditional country fayre and express our thanks to the Committee and all the other volunteers for making this possible.
"The money raised will help provide the very best care for local people being treated at Salisbury Hospital, from premature babies to our oldest patients."
Money raised will go towards the £1million the Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s Charity, aims to raise this year to fund new equipment, enhancements to buildings, and ongoing projects supporting patients across Salisbury Hospital including the Stars Appeal Wi-Fi, hospital chaplaincy, support for patients with cancer and the Stars Appeal Play Assistant on Sarum Children’s Ward.
The charity is also fundraising for six high-definition video scopes to help diagnose head and neck cancer more quickly, costing £115,000, and £50,000 to provide 36 ‘by your side’ sleeper chairs so that vulnerable patients and those at the end of their lives can have a loved one stay by their side in comfort.