THE 2023 Rockbourne Fair raised more than £50,000 for the Salisbury hospital Stars Appeal.

Organisers of the event, which ran at Salisbury Racecourse between October 18 and 20 last year, have presented £51,533 to Salisbury District Hospital charity.

Members of the Rockbourne Fair Committee handed the donation to the Earl of Pembroke, charity president, on Thursday (January 18) at the hospital’s neonatal unit.

The cash takes the total raised over the last five events to £261,514.

After the presentation Bev Moulding and Sarah Ewen, of the Rockbourne Fair Committee, and Lord Pembroke were given a tour of the Stars Appeal parents’ accommodation at the unit.

They were also able to listen to a Stars Appeal musician playing lullabies on the harp and saw some of the advanced equipment that donations to the charity have recently funded.

Bev, chair of the fair committee, said: “We are absolutely delighted by the incredible success of Rockbourne Fair 2023. Raising over £51,000 for the Stars Appeal goes beyond our expectations especially in the current economic climate and speaks volumes about the dedication of our volunteers, the quality of our stallholders, and the support from every visitor who walked through our doors.

“Every penny raised will make a significant difference in enhancing patient care and supporting our hardworking NHS staff.

Members of the Rockbourne Fair Committee with Stars Appeal Ambassadors at the launch of Rockbourne Fair 2023. Picture: Spencer Mulholland

“This is a proud moment for all of us involved in the fair, and it reinforces our commitment to continue to put on this fun and much-loved pre-Christmas shopping event.”

The shopping event featured more than 100 handpicked stalls offering a wide variety of items for shoppers, ranging from fashion, jewellery and luxury homeware, to gourmet food and toys.

President of the Stars Appeal, Lord Pembroke, added: “On behalf of the Stars Appeal, I want to say a massive thank you to the Rockbourne Fair Committee.

“The fantastic amount of money raised is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and to the brilliant support and generosity of our local community.

“It will enable the Stars Appeal to do even more to support our hospital and the local people it cares for by funding state-of-the-art equipment, enhancing facilities and providing ongoing projects to support the wellbeing of patients.

“Thank you so much to everyone involved for making Rockbourne Fair 2023 such a success.”

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Last year, donations and fundraising enabled the Stars Appeal to fund projects totalling more than £1 million, including Salisbury Hospital’s first 3D ultrasound, a new plastic surgery theatre with state-of-the-art equipment, and the latest baby heart monitors on the Labour Ward.

Meanwhile, planning for the 2024 Rockbourne Fair is already underway, set to take place from October 16 to 18. Visit rockbournefair.org.uk for more information.

To read more about the projects the Stars Appeal, visit www.starsappeal.org/what-were-fundraising-for.