Mark Ripley of Mann Northway GM donated two toy vehicles to the Victoria Hospital's pediatric unit last January. (file photo/paNOW)

By Paid Partnership

Mann Northway brings new life to local radiothon

Nov 18, 2020 | 1:04 PM

The Victoria Hospital Foundation (VHF) knew its radiothon fundraiser would look a little different this year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, the annual event can’t be held in the lobby of the Victoria Hospital like it has been in the past.

“They knew they had to move it off site and someone on the board said I know a guy who could help and that’s when they called me,” said Mark Ripley, dealer principal of Mann Northway GM.

The dealership stepped up to help sponsor the radiothon by offering an option for safe, drive-thru donations.

“We don’t want to draw a lot of foot traffic so we’ve set up our service bay for anybody who wants to donate – they can just drive through,” said Ripley. “We’ll have volunteers and nursing staff on site to make sure everyone is safe. So pretty different compared to what the radiothon used to be, but we’re excited we can keep everyone safe and hopefully still be super successful for the foundation.”

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Ripley is no stranger to the hospital foundation. Last year, he donated two battery operated GMC toy trucks to the pediatric unit so children could have their own fun ‘rides’ going into surgery.

“I’ve lived here about a year and it didn’t take me long to find out that I wanted to be involved with the hospital,” said Ripley. “After doing some research and being around some of the people from the hospital to learn its story, I realized just how amazing they are and how much people rely on the hospital foundation and the radiothon.”

While the hospital’s operating costs are covered by government, the cost for capital like new equipment and furniture almost always falls to the community. This year the VHF is raising funds to furnish and equip the new neonatal intensive care unit. Items will include resuscitation equipment for newborns, incubators, comfortable bili-blankets to treat jaundiced babies and a pullout bed for mom or dad to sleep next to their child.

“If you haven’t had somebody in the hospital, you probably are at some point. The equipment will be so advanced and allow area residents to be able to stay home and be closer to home when they need emergency services. For anyone who has kids, it’s a nice feeling to know we’ll have that stuff so close to home,” he said.

Ripley acknowledged fundraising has been a challenge for charities due to the pandemic’s effect on the economy and restrictions that prevent them from being able to host events, but he encouraged the public to give what they can.

“If you can find a way to give ten dollars or a thousand dollars, its important. These kids are our future.”

The annual ‘Give a Little Life Day’ radiothon fundraiser for the VHF will air on the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group of stations (Power99, CKBI, Beach Radio) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. Donations can be dropped off at the Mann Northway GM drive through bay, by phone, fax, mail or online.

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*This content was created by paNOW’s commercial content division.