Birthday fundraiser set up for Salisbury legend
Michael Beck is marking his 88th birthday by supporting the Stars Appeal
Michael Beck BEM from Fifield Bavant has been supporting the Stars Appeal at Salisbury District Hospital for around 18 years.
He's a well known face around the city for his efforts to raise money for the charity with his trusty Wally the Wheelbarrow, but the Covid-19 pandemic has meant he's had to scale back his fundraising for a while.
To mark his 88th birthday this weekend (Saturday 16th January), a JustGiving page has been set up to get some donations in, instead of presents.
Michael, who was awarded a British Empire Medal from the Queen for his charity work, has raised more than £424,653 for the Stars Appeal over the years.
He's set himself a target to reach £500,000 by his 90th birthday in two years time.
Michael's also had first hand experience of the work of Salisbury District Hospital, having overcome bowel, prostate, lung, skin, bladder, breast and kidney cancers over the last 15 years and spending a couple of weeks in hospital last April with Covid-19.
All the money raised for his birthday appeal will be given to the Pembroke Unit at SDH and the Breast Cancer Appeal.
The charity tell us Michael's 'longing to get back to his bucket collections once it is safe to do so'.
His JustGiving page has a target of £1,000.