SUPPORT for the Salisbury District Hospital Stars Appeal continues to go from strength to strength, with money coming in from fund-raising efforts - big and small - across the area.

The 19th annual three-day Rockbourne Fairs were held at the Salisbury Racecourse Bibury Suite last week, with part of the proceeds pledged to the Little Lives element of the Stars Appeal - aimed at raising £100,000 new state-of-the art equipment at the hospital's neo-natal intensive care unit.

The final figure from the Fair will not be known until the beginning of November, Jennie Sherborne, the fair's chairman, said: "We are waiting with bated breath to hear the final result, but are thrilled to be able to announce that we will have definitely broken last year's record of £43,000. We would like to thank so many wonderful people who have contributed to make this such a successful, happy and above all worthwhile event."

Since they first started the fairs have now raised a grand total of some £400,000.

And the same project has received recent support from three children, who were born in the unit. Chloe Evens has presented a cheque for a total £826.72 raised from a sponsored swim by her mum, Sharon, and Kit Brown and Isobel Bush have handed over £117 raised from a bad hair day held by them and fellow pupils at Morgans Vale & Woodfalls Primary School.

Members of the Stratford Social Club has also taken the baby unit to its heart and donated the £800 from a fun day to the cause.

Meanwhile the Stars Appeal has also received a recent boost of £1,000 from a sponsored swim by Andover Post Office workers Sandra Cassells and Charlene Tee.

They swam 150 lengths in a sponsored swim and the £500 they raised was matched by the Post Office.

Sandra said: "We wanted to increase our fitness and raise money for a local charity - and the Stars Appeal has really captured the attention of local people, which is why we chose to support it. We had tremendous support from the Andover Post Office staff and Truffles Coffee Shop customers in Winterslow and we would like to thank them all for their support."

The neo-natal intensive care unit, together with a drive to raise £300,000 for a dedicated keyhole cancer theatre, are the main targets of the Stars Appeal. Time is running out to register for this year's Tidworth 10k and 3k fun run, on Sunday, November 4, which is in of the Stars Appeal. Because of its popularity and increasing demand for places, people need to register before November 4. The closing date for entries is 5pm on Wednesday, October 31.

But people can also raise money for their chosen hospital ward, unit or department as part of the appeal.

For information about the Stars Appeal visit www.starsappeal.org or contact Hannah Paye on 01722 429005.

You can also e-mail Dave Cates on dave.cates@salisbury.nhs.uk.