ABOUT £100,000 was raised for Salisbury District Hospital’s charity the Stars Appeal at its annual Walk for Wards event on Sunday.

More than 1,900 local people registered to take part in the event and enjoyed walking the 3k, 5k and 10k routes around Wilton Estate in brilliant sunshine and temperatures topping 30 degrees, while raising vital funds for the Stars Appeal to help local people at Salisbury District Hospital.

The event is sponsored by Salisbury Reds, hosted by Wilton Estate, marshalled by the Rotary Club of Wilton and supported by the Salisbury Journal and many other local organisations.

Addressing the walkers at the start line, cancer surgeon Graham Branagan said money raised by the walkers will help enhance care for thousands of local people, not only by helping to fund a second MRI Scanner, but also by supporting projects across many different wards and departments at the hospital.

Special guest Kier Pritchard, Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, praised the care provided by Salisbury District Hospital to the local community and highlighted the important role that the hospital has played in the wake of the nerve agent attack in March, providing life-saving care to those affected.

With many people walking to celebrate the life of a loved one, Mr Branagan led the crowd in a moment of silence and reflection, before starting a countdown to commence the walk.

Kier Pritchard was joined by hospital chief executive Cara Charles-Barks, hospital chairman Nick Marsden, Peter Edge Mayor of Wilton and Richard Gagg of Salisbury Reds to cut the ribbon signalling the start of the walk.