Celebrations for Stars Appeal Christmas Raffle winners

Tuesday, 17 January 2023 00:00

Three lucky Stars Appeal supporters have got 2023 off to a great start after scooping the top prizes in the hospital charity’s Christmas raffle.

Nigel Ellis, from Potterne, won the top prize of £1,000 while Richard Langdon, of Barford St Martin, received the second prize of £500.

The £250 third prize went to Maria Francillia from Salisbury. Five others received prizes of £50.

The lucky trio were presented with their prizes on Monday (January 16).

Top prize winner Nigel, who has supported the charity by taking part in a number of the Star Appeal’s Walk for Wards over the years, was delighted over his raffle win and said: “I feel overwhelmed.”

“I support the Stars Appeal because Salisbury Hospital is my hospital,” added the 70-year-old.

On finding out about his raffle windfall, second prize winner Richard, 78, who regularly enters the raffle, said: “I feel very good about winning. It is the first time I’ve won anything. I always support the Stars Appeal in various ways.”

Third prize winner, Maria, 42, who is an administration assistant at Salisbury Hospital’s Britford and Downton Wards, added: “It was just a really lovely surprise.”

The Christmas Raffle raised more than £10,000, which will go towards the £1million the Stars Appeal is aiming to raise this year to provide projects supporting patients and staff at Salisbury District Hospital.

Stars Appeal volunteer fundraiser Jo Maslen said: “Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to everyone who bought tickets and made donations. The money raised from the Christmas Raffle will go towards our £1million target to help fund projects that make such a difference to patients, their families and staff at the Hospital.”

The projects the Hospital’s charity is looking to fund for this year include a £142,000 echocardiogram machine for the Cardiac Investigation Unit to reduce waiting times for patients awaiting diagnosis, £55,000 for new scalp cooling machines to help reduce hair loss for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy on the Pembroke Unit, a £20,000 brain function monitor for the Neonatal Unit, and a £15,000 mechanical CPR machine.

These are in addition to the ongoing projects the Stars Appeal fund including support for cancer patients, a 24/7 chaplaincy service, a staff counsellor, and free Wi-Fi.