A DISTRICT nurse from Coombe Bissett galloped to the finishing line on Saturday to win this year’s Wilton Hunt point-to-point charity flat race.

Karen Shearing, who is based at Wilton Health Centre, rode her horse Top Cat to glory in what was her first ever race.

This year the race was in aid of the Stars Appeal Breast Cancer Unit Campaign, with each of the nine riders raising at least £250 and galloping around a single lap of the course.

Karen said: “I have been riding for 40 years but have only ever competed in show jumping, eventing and dressage.

“This was my first race and I was very nervous and excited at the start – it was so much fun and just incredible to win and I must pay credit to the Whitsbury-based trainer Marcus Tregoning who gave me some help in an informal way in the weeks leading up to it.

“I had wanted to take part because it was for such a good cause and being a district nurse, I often see people with cancer in the community.”

The event - part of the point-to-point day at Milborne St Andrew - raised more than £2,000 for the breast cancer unit campaign.

Meeting secretary Mark Elgar said: “The organising committee have a number of friends who have gone through breast cancer and felt it was right to raise money for the appeal which will enable all the services for patients to be delivered under one roof.”

The Stars Appeal campaign aims to raise £750,000 for a dedicated breast care unit at Salisbury Hospital. The unit would benefit some 4,500 patients a year. On average at Salisbury Hospital 250 women and one man is diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

For more deatils visit starsappeal.org

*ORGANISERS of a three-mile sponsored walk through the Chalke Valley are inviting people to join them on April 11 to raise money for the appeal.

Long-running Stars Appeal supporter Michael Beck will be walking the route from Fifield Bavant to Broad Chalke with Wally Wheelbarrow and a team of friends.

To book your place on April 11 and for sponsorship forms contact the organising committee on 01722 780271 or 01722 780257.

The walk starts at 10.30am. Entry is £10 (under 12s go free) to include light lunch at the Queen’s Head, Broad Chalke. Return transport available.