Dear Rebecca, Bill and the Salisbury Journal team

With less than £250,000 left to raise towards our Stars Appeal MRI Scanner Campaign’s £1.5million target, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done so far to support us.

Your regular coverage of the campaign’s progress, the difference it will make to local people and of course, all of the wonderful things people are doing to raise funds, has been vital in building awareness and inspiring generous support from the local community.

In addition, you have very kindly been publishing a donation form each week and the response to this from your generous readers has been fantastic.

We have been regularly receiving donations but today has been exceptional, with forms returned to us totalling over £3,000.

All of my colleagues here at the Hospital are truly touched by your readers’ generosity.

And we are all hugely grateful to the Salisbury Journal for everything you are doing to help.

A second MRI scanner at Salisbury Hospital will enable over 10,000 people each year to have their MRI scans faster and at their local hospital in Salisbury, avoiding the need to travel to other hospitals or use a mobile scanner in the Hospital car park.

And cancer, stroke, heart and many other patients will benefit from the very latest MRI diagnostic techniques, reducing the need for invasive procedures.

Please keep up your brilliant support as we strive to reach our £1.5million target.

It really is making a huge difference.

Thank you once again and wishing you and your readers a very Happy Christmas.

Mr Graham Branagan

Cancer Surgeon and Chair of the Stars MRI Scanner Campaign Appeal