A COUNTRY fayre committee has raised more than £65,000 for the Stars Appeal in the past two years.

Supporters of the Berwick St John Country Fayre, which took place in September, gathered in the packed out village hall on Saturday to present the funds to Salisbury District Hospital’s charity.

The two-day fayre raised £50,968 for the Stars Appeal’s campaign for a second MRI scanner, of which more than £1million has already been donated.

Since the last event in 2016, when £35,000 was raised, the committee has organised several other events for the Stars Appeal, including a Tractor Road Run across Salisbury Plain and two Treasured Toys car road trips, bringing the total raised under the umbrella of the Berwick St John Country Fayre to £65,404.

Volunteers, supporters, exhibitors and sponsors gathered to celebrate the achievement.

Fayre secretary Louise Hall said: “The weather for the fayre was exceptional and there were a record number of visitors.

“The charitable focus of the fayre is unique among vintage events of this type.

“All exhibitors contribute freely and the show is organised and run entirely by volunteers, and sponsored by a large number of local businesses.

“This huge donation has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of many, as well as through the generous support of the local community.”

Chairman of the Stars Appeal’s MRI scanner campaign and cancer surgeon Graham Branagan was there along with other consultants and surgeons from Salisbury District Hospital and the charity’s head of fundraising Dave Cates, to receive the money.

The cheque was unveiled by the hard-working Reilly and George Sparkes, who assisted their parents before, during and after the show.

Mr Branagan said: “It was a privilege for myself and many of my hospital colleagues to be involved in the 2018 Berwick St John Country Fayre and this truly outstanding donation is true testament to the hard work of the team behind the fayre and the community which comes together to make it happen.

“This is a massive step forward as we strive to reach the £1.5million we need for the second MRI Scanner at Salisbury Hospital. On behalf of the Stars Appeal and most importantly the thousands of local people who will benefit, I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has come together to help make this wonderful event possible.”