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

By Teena Monteleone

Mann Northway brings new life to local radiothon

Nov 19, 2020 | 8:00 AM

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.

“Public health guidelines and safety are top of mind so we’re going to be broadcasting off site from the hospital and won’t be accepting in-person donations this year with the exception of a very safe option thanks to Mann Northway,” VHF CEO Sherry Buckler said.

Mann Northway GM stepped up to help sponsor the radiothon by opening their service bay as a drive-thru option for donors.

“We don’t want to draw a lot of foot traffic, so for those who want to donate they can just drive through,” said Dealer Principal Mark 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,” Ripley said. “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 anything, this pandemic has taught us that there is nothing more important than our health and having good health care very close by, particularly at a time when we don’t want to travel much, is so important,” Buckler said.

Both Ripley and Buckler 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 encouraged the public to give what they can.

“If you can find a way to give $10 or $1,000, it’s important. These kids are our future,” Ripley said.

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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teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow