Neonatal Unit Matron Sam Heaton, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Chair Eiri Jones, and paediatric consultant Dr Jim Baird with Amesbury Mayor Dr Monica Devendran. (Image: Stars Appeal)
A community event has offered much needed support for a charity that works with neonatal families at Salisbury District Hospital.
A bingo night in Amesbury has raised £500 for the Stars Appeal, the official charity of Salisbury District Hospital.
The event, part of the Mayor of Amesbury’s charity campaign, took place on 16 October at Christ the King Catholic Church and was organised by the Amesbury Community Bingo Group. Councillor Dr Monica Devendran presented the funds to hospital staff during a visit to the neonatal unit this week.
During the visit, Dr Devendran and event organiser Jeff Coy met neonatal staff and saw firsthand how the Stars Appeal provides practical and emotional support to families.
Cllr Dr Devendran said: “A big thank-you to Jeff, the volunteers at Christ the King Catholic Church, and everyone who supported the bingo night. Your kindness truly shines for our local NHS heroes. The Stars Appeal plays a vital role in helping Salisbury Hospital provide extra care, comfort, and support for patients and families across our community.”
The Stars Appeal funds projects such as family accommodation for parents of sick babies and children, specialist equipment, and enhanced facilities for patients and staff.
Stars Appeal representative Dave Kates said:
“We are hugely grateful for this kind donation, which supports our projects across Salisbury Hospital – such as providing accommodation for the parents of babies and children in hospital.
“We send the biggest thank-you to everyone at the Amesbury Community Bingo Group and to the Mayor, Cllr Monica Devendran, and Jeff Coy for taking the time to visit us and present their gift in person. It was a pleasure to welcome them here.”
The Stars Appeal is Salisbury Hospital’s main charitable fund, raising more than £1 million annually to enhance care and comfort for patients across the region.

Most of my career was spent in teaching including at one of the UK’s top private schools. I left London in 2000 and set up home in Wales raising four beautiful children. I enrolled at University where I studied Photography and film and gained a Degree and subsequently a Masters Degree. In 2014 I helped launch a new local newspaper and managed to get front and back page as well as 6 filler pages on a weekly basis. I saw that journalism was changing and was a pioneer of hyperlocal news in Wales. In 2017 I started one of the first 24/7 free independent news sites for Wales. Having taken that to a successful business model I was keen for a new challenge. Joining the company is exciting for me especially as it is a new role in Europe. I am keen to establish myself and help others to do the same.
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