14-02-2025
Record breaking Rockbourne Fair raises 'extraordinary' sum for Stars Appeal
ORGANISERS of Rockbourne Fair celebrated a record-breaking year by presenting more than £62k to the Stars Appeal.
Members of the Rockbourne Fair Committee presented their donation to the President of the Stars Appeal, the Earl of Pembroke, and the charity's Hospital Ambassadors on Wednesday, February 12.
A total of £62,081 was raised at the boutique shopping event, which took place from October 16 to 18, 2024, at Salisbury Racecourse.
More than £320k has now been raised at the last six Rockbourne Fairs.
The presentation took place at the new Imber Ward, which was furnished and equipped with £600,000 of Stars Appeal funding.
The four Rockbourne Fair committee members, Bev Moulding, Sarah Ewen, Jane Moulding and Anya Pardoe along with Lord Pembroke were given a tour of the new unit as well as given an idea of what this year's funds will go towards.
The Rockbourne Fair Committee (Bev Moulding, Jane Moulding, Sarah Ewen and Anya Pardoe) presented their donation to Stars Appeal President, the Earl of Pembroke, and Stars Appeal Hospital Ambassadors (Image: Spencer Mulholland) The annual Fair is a three-day shopping event which takes place in October at Salisbury Racecourse. The amount raised in 2024 surpasses the £51,533 raised the previous year.
Bev Moulding, Chair of the Rockbourne Fair Committee, said: "Raising a record-breaking £62,000 is an incredible achievement, and we cannot thank our visitors, stallholders, sponsors and volunteers enough.
"I was completely shocked. It's always between £50k to £55k. When I had the phone call I was amazed. When you organise an event like this you need to have a good team behind you and I have an amazing team behind me.
"It just makes everything so worthwhile."
READ MORE: Salisbury teenager to direct performance for Stars Appeal
As part of the presentation, the committee visited Sarum Children's Ward where they met nine-year-old Lily-Eva Cole and her parents Shannon and Jordan.
Lily, who is undergoing cancer treatment, presented Lord Pembroke and the committee with a special letter of thanks.
Lily-Eva with Stars Appeal President Lord Pembroke (Image: Spencer Mulholland) Lily said, "Thanks to the Stars Appeal there is a very special play team here who help keep me busy and distracted from all my treatment. I haven't been able to go to school or see my friends since I was diagnosed with cancer, so the play team are very special to me. They keep me company and always make me smile. They are like my friends."
President of the Stars Appeal, Lord Pembroke said: "It is so heartening to see how the wonderful support of the Rockbourne Fair makes such a difference to patients like Lily-Eva and her family.
"The money raised helps provide the very best care for thousands of patients and their families across the hospital by funding the latest equipment and providing those little extras to make their time in the hospital more comfortable.
"It is extraordinary. Everyone is nothing short of extraordinary."
