Wally the wheelbarrow raises £150,000 for Stars Appeal (From Salisbury Journal)
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Wally the wheelbarrow raises £150,000 for Stars Appeal
9:48am Monday 18th March 2013 in News
Wally the wheelbarrow raises £150,000 for Stars Appeal
A CANCER survivor who began fundraising for the Stars Appeal a decade ago has raised a massive £150,000.
Over the years both Michael Beck and his wheelbarrow, Wally, have become a familiar sight around Salisbury during regular collections at local shops and pubs, the livestock market and the hospital in addition to appearances at annual events such as the Tidworth 10k and Walk for Wards.
Mr Beck, from Fifield Bavant, is now 80 but still takes Wally out twice a week. For the last six years he’s been supported by David Chalk, from Broad Chalke, plus other friends and volunteers.
He said: “It all started when I had cancer. They were so brilliant at Salisbury District Hospital, to me and my family – no one could have had better care.
“So to say thank you I had the idea to push a wheelbarrow from my home to the hospital, that’s 13 miles. After that, it got bigger and bigger.
“At the hospital, most people just call me Wally. The hospital link drivers all laugh and joke with me, and I love it. And since I lost my wife Ruby to cancer, having Wally Wheelbarrow gives me more reason to get up and out in the morning.”
Having raised £150,000, Mr Beck says his ambition is now to reach £250,000
