A TEAM of radiologists from Salisbury District Hospital have done their bit to raise money towards vital lifesaving equipment they use every day.

The Radiology Ramblers, a group of twelve radiology staff, walked 34 miles from Salisbury Cathedral to Christchurch Priory this weekend, to raise money for a second MRI scanner.

Doctor Jonathan Annis was among them.

“Essentially we were doing it really to put our word behind the appeal, and clearly it’s something that’s quite dear to us as we are using that scanner, so we wanted to do our bit,” he said.

Dr Annis said the length was not the hardest obstacle in completing the walk, but the weather.

“It was absolutely beautiful, but it was hard-going, it really was,” he said.

Dr Annis said a second MRI scanner would have a huge impact on the department’s work.

He said: “As many are aware, the demands put on our service is growing in volume and complexity year on year.

“A second MRI scanner would help to relieve the pressure on our current scanner, allowing the team to keep up with the ever-growing number of requests.

“We are very aware of the importance of performing scans in a timely fashion so as not to delay the investigation and treatment pathways.

“Greater capacity would significantly help us to achieve this goal.

“We want to be able to have the capacity and capability to perform new, advanced scanning techniques here in Salisbury.

“We would like to have a scanner that would not only give us this capacity, but would also enable us to respond to new developments in coming years.”

He said a new scanner would particularly help with investigations into prostates, heart problems and breast imaging.

And it would enable doctors to continue to provide fast diagnoses and treatment in times of emergency, if the second scanner was in use or if it had broken down.

So far the team has raised £850, but expects a total of more than £1,000 to support the Stars Appeal.

Dr Annis added: “Thank you for your amazing generosity, we are so grateful for your continued support.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/jonathan-annis.

For more information on the Stars Appeal, its work at Salisbury District Hospital and its campaign to raise £1.5million for a second MRI scanner, visit starsappeal.org