Updated 3rd November 21 
I am really sorry to share that Michael sadly passed away this afternoon. He was comfortable and peaceful at the end, but still trying to tell us that he’d get better and get back to his fundraising!

He’s been a constant around the Hospital for 20 odd years so will leave a big Michael shaped hole. I will always remember his lovely smile as he shook his fundraising bucket around the Trust or on fundraising walks with his trusty wheelbarrow “Wally”. He never stopped trying to make life better for local people by supporting our work in the hospital. He was desperate to reach the £500,000 target and wouldn’t stop talking about it, even when critically ill with COVID-19 and barely able to breathe.

He’s passed the target on to his friends Keith, David, Peter and Emma and the other amazing Stars Appeal collectors, so I hope you’ll join me in supporting their work in continuing his amazing legacy by making a donation here. 

Thank you for your support.

Anna

PS. I have left my original text below and a link to the South Today feature for those who may not be aware of Michael's amazing story.

South Today Video clip: https://youtu.be/avpROCx7cNc

Many of you will know Michael Beck from his incredible fundraising efforts for our hospital charity, the Stars Appeal.

I’m Dr Anna Barton, a Respiratory Consultant at Salisbury Hospital. I met this wonderful man when he was fighting Coronavirus  last year. He spent two weeks with us on the Covid Ward. We very nearly lost him.

After leaving the hospital, he was very breathless and tired, but desperate to get back to his fundraising activities so was really motivated to start walking again. Indeed, within less than 3 months of discharge, he was out walking 10km on the Walk for Wards. I and his whole medical team were incredibly impressed with his determination.

However, his breathing difficulties continued, and sadly a repeat chest x-ray showed that a shadow on the lung, we hoped had been caused by Covid, had not gone away. A CT scan confirmed that Michael sadly had incurable lung cancer. As such I’m continually involved in his ongoing treatment.

Getting to know Michael I have learnt many amazing things about him. A  Korean war veteran and lifelong dairy farmer, at 88 years old this isn’t Michael’s first brush with cancer. He has successfully seen off many others, breast, bladder, skin and prostate in fact. And he lost his beloved wife Ruby to ovarian cancer.

All of this has had a big impact on Michael and has led to him to becoming a tireless fundraiser for our brilliant hospital charity. With the help of his friends and supporters, Michael has raised £425,000 over the last 17 years, by spending many hours collecting with a bucket in the main entrance of hospital, accompanied by his trusty wheelbarrow ‘Wally’. I find this both incredible and awe-inspiring. And I have seen the benefits of the charity in my work. In fact the Stars Appeal has recently bought some state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment for our department costing £170,000. Every day I see first-hand how this equipment is helping patients like Michael to be treated locally instead of travelling elsewhere. 

It is Michael’s dearest, and perhaps last, wish that he reaches his target of raising £500,000 for the Stars Appeal. However, due to his illness and Covid restrictions, he can no longer collect money in his normal way. That’s why, with Michael’s full support, I have set up this page to support him. Please donate, and help this incredible man I have had the pleasure of looking after, to hit his half-million pound target – thank you. 

Dr Anna Barton
Respiratory Consultant at Salisbury District Hospital