Inside Salisbury: Berwick St John Country Fayre smashes fund-raising record for Salisbury Hospital Charity
New fund-raising record for Country Fayre blows previous total away
by Annette J Beveridge
A COUNTRY Fayre has raised a staggering sum of money for the Salisbury Hospital’s Charity Stars Appeal.
Running every other year since 1992, the Berwick St John Country Fayre has been raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for a wide variety of charities, including the Stars Appeal, before committing long-term support to the Stars Appeal in 2012.
The Fayre raised £63,117.18, in 2022 which had been the biggest fundraising total….until now.
A total of £96,983.99 was announced during a special presentation held on Sunday, December 1 at a packed West Barn Lodge in Fovant with nearly 300 people in attendance. After the big sum was revealed, further donations from guests at the event bumped the total up to an incredible £100,000 – the largest amount raised in the Fayre’s 32-year history.
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Fayre Secretary Louise Hall said: “We are blown away by the incredible generosity and support we’ve received which has enabled us to raise this record-breaking total for the Stars Appeal. Despite facing many challenges ahead of this year’s event, the entire team pulled together to deliver a brilliant show with a fantastic atmosphere.
“We are so grateful to everyone who supports us, not just financially, but also by providing services and equipment and by volunteering their time. As we heard today, the money raised makes lives better at Salisbury Hospital and we sincerely thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible.”
The biennial event is run entirely by a dedicated committee of volunteers, with wide support from the local community and village residents.
Guest speakers included MP John Glen, Reverend Alison Waterhouse and Stars Appeal Fundraising Committee Chairman Stephen Oxley. Stars Appeal Patient Ambassadors Adam Abel, Adrian Abbott and Colin Ford shared their personal experiences of how the Stars Appeal made a difference to them and their families during their time at Salisbury District Hospital.
They were joined by Hospital doctors and surgeons who explained the impact that the charity’s work has on the care that they provide.
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Adrian Abbot, 54, said: “I was aware of the Stars Appeal before my heart attack, but I had not realised just how different the patient experience at the Hospital would be without it.”
Stars Appeal President, the Earl of Pembroke, said: “I congratulate everybody involved with the Berwick St John Country Fayre on this momentous achievement. I deeply appreciate the incredible teamwork and effort required to organise an event of this scale and this result is a testament to the remarkable support and passion we all share for the Hospital, its dedicated staff, and the invaluable services provided by the Stars Appeal.
“These services make a profound difference to the thousands of families who rely on them and provide access to the latest equipment and the best facilities. They allow patients to be diagnosed faster, and with families at their side, recover quicker and return home sooner. Thank you again for all your incredible support of the Stars Appeal and we look forward to the next Fayre.”
The 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 next Berwick St John Country Fayre will take place on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 in 2026.
For more information visit www.berwickstjohncountryfayre.co.uk
Photo Credit: Spencer Mulholland.
