BUS operator Salisbury Reds has announced it will spend the next two years supporting the Stars Appeal, the charity for Salisbury District Hospital.

The company has named the Stars Appeal as its official good cause for 2026 and 2027, committing to raise funds and boost awareness to support a wide range of services for patients and their families across the hospital.

“The Stars Appeal raises money to create the best possible experience for patients and their families by funding extra care and equipment over and above that provided by the NHS,” said David Newton, operations manager of Salisbury Reds.

“Our relationship with the charity spans more than a decade – with many of our staff benefiting directly from the support it provides. My colleagues have voted, and I’m delighted we will once again be raising as much money as possible for this vital resource.”

Salisbury Reds has a busy programme of fundraising activities planned over the two-year partnership and will also help spread the word by promoting the charity on board its buses and on the rear of a vehicle.

David added: “Hopefully, the messages will be seen by thousands traveling across the region – and this will help increase awareness for this very worthy cause.”

Consultant paediatrician and Stars Appeal ambassador Dr Rowena Staples welcomed the announcement and praised the long-standing partnership.

“We are incredibly grateful to Salisbury Reds for their tremendous ongoing support over many years and are delighted to have been chosen once again as their official good cause,” she said.

“This partnership will help us continue to improve care across Salisbury Hospital and support patients and their families when they need it most, from funding the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment to wellbeing projects for cancer patients, accommodation for families of sick babies and children, and so much more.”

Every day, projects funded by the Stars Appeal support hundreds of patients across Salisbury Hospital, while also helping the NHS staff who care for them.

The charity aims to raise £2 million each year to fund state-of-the-art equipment, improvements to hospital buildings and ongoing initiatives, including cancer support services, a dedicated play assistant on the Children’s Unit and free Stars Appeal Wi-Fi.