Greater Victoria firefighters donate $25K to Victoria Hospitals Foundation, total donations now $250K
Fire departments from across Greater Victoria donated $25,000 to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation on Thursday to support pediatric care in the region.
The donation was part of a 10-year promise from the Professional Firefighters of Greater Victoria Community Foundation to donate $250,000 to support child health care in Victoria.
Since 2011, the fire departments of Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt and Victoria have donated $250,000 to support pediatric and neonatal care at Victoria General Hospital.
This year's donation will go towards acquiring pediatric stretchers, which are used to safely transport children and newborns.
"Our firefighters’ pledge to ensure our youngest and most vulnerable patients have access to leading-edge pediatric equipment and resources demonstrates their compassion and commitment to the community," said Avery Broham, executive director of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation in a release Thursday.
"They are helping us keep local kids on Vancouver Island as much as possible, by their family’s side—what a gift that is."
A 13-year-old former patient of the pediatric unit at VGH presented all four fire departments with art made by other young patients as a way of saying thanks for the decade worth of donations, the hospital foundation said Thursday.
"We are so proud to have partnered with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation and so grateful to have supported the littlest patients in our community over the years," said Frank Williams of the Victoria Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation.
"They are our future, and this is why it mattered so much," he said.
Victoria General Hospital is the referral centre for all maternity and pediatrics on Vancouver Island, according to the hospital foundation.
It also accepts transfers from across the province and is home to one of four high-level neonatal intensive care units in the province, and is host to one of only two pediatric intensive care units for critically ill children in B.C.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.