WILTON Rotary Club presented a cheque to the Stars Appeal at its recent monthly meeting.

The Mercure White Hart Hotel was the venue last Monday (November 4) for a presentation of funds raised for the Salisbury District Hospital charity over the summer.

Club president Andy Rhind-Tutt started the evening by reading out a message of thanks to Wilton Rotary Club from Lord Pembroke for all it does in the community and then announced that from the Wilton Wake Up’s and the club’s annual Mammoth Car Boot Sale, a cheque for £11,224.15 was to be presented to Dave Cates, Stars Appeal head of fundraising, and patient ambassador, David Kunzer.

Mr Cates said donations from the Wilton Rotary Club over many years had played a key role in supporting the charity’s work.

He also thanked the club for marshalling the Walk for Wards each year, which has raised around £1.25m since 2006.

A short video showed the guests some of the equipment now being purchased with some of the latest donation, such as ‘by your side’ sleeper chairs for relatives staying alongside their loved ones in hospital and an Omibeam projector, that projects dynamic images that respond to gesture and movement, used to enhance therapy for children being treated on the Children’s Ward.

Following Dave was an emotional and moving speech from Stars Appeal patient ambassador Mr Kunzer, who recounted his journey through shock diagnosis to successful treatment of bowel cancer and his gratitude to the work Wilton Rotary does to support local charities.

After a three-course dinner, president Andy introduced guest speaker The Lord Lieutenant if Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton, who gave a fascinating account of the role throughout the centuries and her current role representing and supporting the Royal Family since being chosen in 2012.

Mrs Troughton brought many smiles from the audience when reflecting on her very first duty which was to accompany Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on the Diamond Jubilee visit to Salisbury in May 2012, finishing up with: “Upon leaving the Amesbury marquee, Her Majesty placed her hand on the 13th century Sanctus bell from St Mary and St Melor church, paused and with a smile asked “does it still ding, or does it dong?”

The final words were given by assistant Rotary district governor Geoff Philpot, of Andover Anton club, who implied that Wilton Rotary Club was an inspirational club, bucking all trends with nine new members and rediscovering itself and its purpose in the community. He congratulated everyone.

The next club event will be giving mulled wine and children’s treats at the switch on of the Wilton Christmas lights with Father Christmas on Friday, November 29.