Berwick St John Country Fayre raises record amount for Stars Appeal
Big boost for Salisbury District Hospital charity
This year’s Berwick St John Country Fayre has raised the largest amount of money in its 30 year history .
A special presentation event held in the village hall has revealed a whopping £63,117 was raised for the Stars Appeal.
The two day event which took place in September say thousands of people visit to enjoy rural crafts, tractors, steams engines, classic cars, horses and the beer and tea tents.
Berwick St John Country Fayre co-chair Richard Pocock was delighted with the amount raised to support Salisbury District Hospital's charity.
"Words can’t describe the feeling of what has been achieved. It’s been a team effort. It is mind blowing.”
Guest speakers at the presentation event included 12-year-old Florence Burgess, who was treated at Salisbury Hospital after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia at the age of 8. She shared her personal experience of how the Stars Appeal made a difference to both her and her family during her long stays in hospital by providing accommodation for her parents, fun play activities and free Wi-Fi.
Other speakers included frontline Salisbury Hospital staff Dr Jonathan Cullis, Mr Roger Humphry, Dr Phil Ridley and Hospital Chaplain Rev. David Langford, who all highlighted how funds raised for the Stars Appeal support patients, families and staff.
During the presentation Dr Ridley, a paediatric consultant who works on the Children’s Ward and is a Stars Appeal ambassador said:
“Every day, I see how the work of the Stars Appeal makes a huge difference to our patients, their families and staff.”
The Stars Appeal funds a range of projects at the Hospital including additional equipment such as state-of-the-art monitors, hospital chaplaincy, free Wi-Fi, accommodation for parents of babies and children, entertainment and companionship for older people, and support for the hospital’s hard-working staff.
Show Secretary Louise Hall commented:
“I am blown away by the generosity and support we receive which again is demonstrated today by so many people across the board here to share in the celebration of their achievements and hear the difference our money makes for the Stars Appeal, to improve lives of both patients and staff at Salisbury Hospital. Berwick Fayre is unique in many ways, not least the incredible people who make it happen. We have developed close and personal relationships with many of our contractors, suppliers and supporters who are kind and loyal; they all appreciate understand and believe in what we are doing and share our passion to support the Stars Appeal.”
The Berwick St John Country Fayre has been running every other year since 1992 raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for a wide variety of charities over the years, before committing long term support to the Stars Appeal in 2012.
The next Country Fayre will next take place in September 2024.
Other events including a tractor road run across Salisbury Plain in April and hopefully two tractor working weekends.
To find our more visit the Fayre’s website www.berwickstjohncountryfayre.co.uk