Big names bring out big bucks for hospital

Members of the "hockey team" that raised over half a million dollars for the new Uxbridge Hospital. Photo by John Cavers

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An opportunity to play hockey with legends such as Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmore helped local hockey players and fans raise more than half a million dollars for the local hospital on the weekend.

Mackenzie Todd, campaign director for the Uxbridge Hospital Foundation, said the hockey fundraiser which ran Thursday night and all day Friday, raised a total of $502,326, which will go towards the construction of Oak Valley Health’s new Uxbridge hospital.

Todd said the event, which was the idea of foundation chair Jim Williamson, saw players and teams pay for the privilege of taking part. That privilege included the opportunity to pick from 10 former NHL players to play on their team. Also in the mix were local NHLers Gary Roberts and Brad May. In addition, fans also donated to the cause.

Also on Friday, Oak Valley Health’s president and CEO Jo-anne Marr and other Oak Valley executives were joined by Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge, Mayor Dave Barton and regional councillor Bruce Garrod for the official signing of the site plan application for the new Uxbridge Hospital.

Marr said it was another step forward in the redevelopment of the Uxbridge Hospital campus, which will include a new long-term care facility. The new hospital will add more patient beds and expand key services to make it easier for residents to continue receiving high-quality care closer to home in Durham region.