Mar 13th 2013
For the last 10 years, Wally Wheelbarrow and his faithfulcompanion Michael Beck have been raising funds for Salisbury District Hospital’s Stars Appeal with regular collections at local shops and pubs, the livestock market and the hospital as well at our events. And over that time they have raised a massive £150,000.
Michael, from Fifield Bavant, is now aged 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.
Michael says, “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 home to the hospital, that’s 13 miles. After that, it got bigger and bigger and a few years ago the Salisbury Journal and Spire FM made me Fundraiser of the Year. Now my ambition is to reach £250,000. 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.”
The £150,000 raised by Wally Wheelbarrow has gone towards all sorts of projects around the hospital including the Keyhole Cancer surgery suite, the Children’s Unit and the new Neonatal Unit and attached parents’ accommodation.
Wally Wheelbarrow will continue to be a familiar sight around Salisbury as he helps us raise funds for a number of new projects to make a difference for local people in Salisbury District Hospital.