MURRAY WALKER: Local legend and wonderful friend to the Stars Appeal dies aged 97
From F1 to Walk for Wards, he'll be sorely missed
Last updated 13th Mar 2021
For many Murray Walker is the voice of motor-racing, a broadcasting legend who's career spanned 50 years but for the Stars Appeal in Salisbury he was a dedicated and much loved supporter.
A resident of Sandleheath near Fordingbridge he simply wanted to do his bit to help Salisbury District Hospital where both he and his wife were treated for cancer.
WALK FOR WARDS
In 2016 Murray fired the starting gun for the annual Walk for Ward event at Wilton House alongside Dragons Den star Nick Jenkins.
The event raised £125,000 and the charity said at the time it was one they would "remember fondly for a very long time to come."
BREAST CANCER UNIT
In 2015 veteran broadcaster Murray, attended a fundraiser at Fordingbridge Town Hall to help raise money for a dedicated Breast Cancer Unit at Salisbury District Hospital.
Murray's wife, Elizabeth, had fought breast cancer and he was eager to do his bit.
CT SCANNER
In 2013 Murray lent his support to the CT Scanner Appeal, our hospital desperately needed a second machine.
Murray, who was diagnosed with lymphoma earlier that year after he fell and broke his pelvis spoke of the importance of the scanner in a special video.
In just eight months a staggering £650,000 was raised to buy the life-saving scanner.
TRIBUTES TO MURRAY WALKER
Dave Cates, Director of fundraising at The Stars Appeal told Greatest Hits Radio:
"He was a local legend, because he did so much in the community. We're really going to miss Murray and we're privileged to have been able to work with him and to be supported by him and to call him a friend of the Stars Appeal. Our thoughts go out with his friends and family at this very difficult time."
Toddy Westropp was chair of the Stars Appeal from 2011-2018 and has fond memories of Murray:
"To the Stars Appeal, he wasn’t just a legend and the voice of F1, he was someone who having had excellent treatment at SDH contacted the Stars Appeal and asked, as so many do 'what can I do to help'."
"He was a generous, kind, hilarious man, and when he set the walkers off at Walk for Wards, chatted and had 'selfies' taken for hours which his wife, Elizabeth said was totally normal. He really should have been on the stage. For the Stars Appeal, he was wonderful friend, we were honoured to have met and been supported by him."
"Murray will be hugely missed and I would like to send all our love to his family."