Sponsored by CANCER survivor Michael Beck's charity walks with his trusty wheelbarrow "Wally" have made him something of a legend in local fundraising circles.

During the last four years 74-year-old Michael has completed four half marathons, pushing Wally Wheelbarrow, and netted more than £41,000 for various projects at Salisbury District Hospital - including the Ace of Hearts and Stars Appeal.

Michael's dogged efforts were recognised when he was presented with the Fundraiser Award.

After collecting his prize, he said: "I feel quite overcome and very honoured."

Michael, of Fifield Bavant, near Broad Chalke, has been working tirelessly for the hospital after undergoing five years of treatment there for prostate and bladder cancer.

"The treatment I got was second to none and the staff there were absolutely brilliant, both to me and my family and I can't thank them enough. That's why I do the Wally Wheelbarrow walks and other fundraising," he said.

Quite apart from the walks, Michael also spends at least once a week making collections for hospital projects and, in his role as treasurer of the Wessex Stoma Support Group, helps to raise awareness of cancer - particularly among men, "Men tend to be less aware of their problems than woman and less likely to talk about them," he said.