WALLY the Wheelbarrow and his trusted companions have raised an astonishing £250k for the Stars Appeal since their fundraising began 13 years ago.

The milestone was celebrated at Salisbury District Hospital on Tuesday.

Dave Cates from the Stars Appeal said: “We had a small celebration to mark the fact that Michael Beck, David Chalk and Kate Ames, and the many other people who support Wally Wheelbarrow, have reached such an incredible amount.

“We want to especially thank those who donate money when the team collects at the hospital and other places in the community.

In organising the celebration, the total raised went up to £260k and Michael is now saying lets get to £500k.

“All of them are brilliant as are all of those people who donate when they see him. It’s changing people’s lives and we wouldn’t be able to do that if it wasn’t for people making donations.”

On Tuesday, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust chairman Nick Marsden and chief executive Peter Hill thanked the team and presented them with a certificate.

The celebration included a special cake made free of charge by Jo Sankey from House of Sankey.

And Mr Cates gave a presentation on different projects the fundraising has helped to achieve from the cardiac suite to free WiFi.