The 2024 Berwick St John Country Fayre raised a record-breaking amount for the Stars Appeal.
The total of £96,983.99 was announced during a special presentation held on Sunday, December 1 at a packed West Barn Lodge in Fovant with nearly 300 people in attendance.
After the big sum was revealed, further donations were pledged bumping the total up to an incredible £100,000 – the largest amount raised in the Fayre’s 32 year history.
The Berwick St John Country Fayre has been running every other year since 1992 raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for a wide variety of charities, including the Stars Appeal, before committing long-term support to the Stars Appeal in 2012. In 2022 the Fayre raised £63,117.18, which had been the biggest fundraising total until now.
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The 2024 event, which took place on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15, attracted thousands of visitors and featured an array of activities from displays of steam engines, vintage tractors, heavy horses and classic cars as well as a dog show, rural crafts, fairground rides, and entertainment. Ahead of the main fayre event, visitors enjoyed an evening of live music on Friday, September 13.
Fayre secretary Louise Hall said: “We are blown away by the incredible generosity and support we’ve received which has enabled us to raise this record-breaking total for the Stars Appeal.
"Despite facing many challenges ahead of this year’s event, the entire team pulled together to deliver a brilliant show with a fantastic atmosphere. We are so grateful to everyone who supports us, not just financially, but also by providing services and equipment and by volunteering their time.
"As we heard today, the money raised makes lives better at Salisbury Hospital and we sincerely thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible.”
Money raised will go towards the £1 million the Stars Appeal aims to raise this year to fund new equipment, enhancements to buildings, and ongoing projects supporting patients across Salisbury Hospital including the Stars Appeal Wi-Fi, hospital chaplaincy, support for patients with cancer and the Stars Appeal Play Assistant on Sarum Children’s Ward.
The Berwick St John Country Fayre will next take place on September 19 and 20, 2026 and the Committee have a number of other events planned for 2025. For more information visit www.berwickstjohncountryfayre.co.uk
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