TWO long-standing volunteers who helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for Salisbury District Hospital’s charity, the Stars Appeal, have been recognised at the BBC Radio Wiltshire Make a Difference Awards.

The awards celebrated people throughout Wiltshire who have gone out of their way to make a difference to their community.

David Chalk, who won the Fundraiser Award, has raised £140,000 over 17 years by bucket collecting and taking part in the charity’s Walk for Wards event.  

He also volunteers at the hospital four days a week, for six hours at a time.

Jo Maslen, who alongside Mr Chalk was one of four finalists shortlisted for the Fundraiser Award, organises the charity’s fundraising treks.

In over 15 years at the charity Ms Maslen, alongside other activities, has organised five overseas treks to locations such as the Grand Canyon and Great Wall of China, raising close to half a million pounds. 

The awards ceremony took place last Saturday night (September 7) at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel and was hosted by BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Graham Rogers. 

David Chalk and Jo Maslen were rubbing shoulders with celebrities at the awards night Picture The Stars Appeal

The eight award categories saw hundreds of nominations to BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Make a Difference Awards.

Celebrity judges, including TV presenter James May, rugby player Jonny May and the Marchioness of Bath, Emma Thynn, selected the winners.  

Dave Cates, the head of fundraising at the Stars Appeal, said: “We are so proud to see both David and Jo’s herculean efforts to enhance care for local people in hospital recognised at these prestigious awards.  

“We are incredibly proud of them, and extremely grateful for all they, and the many, many people that support their fundraising efforts, do for the Stars Appeal.  

“None of our work would be possible without support like theirs which inspires so much generosity towards our cause.”