The Durham Hospital Foundation has raised over $90,000 from its annual Boots and Bling Gala.
Foundation Executive Director Anne Marie Watson says the 11th annual event on Oct. 14 at the Durham Community Centre welcomed about 185 people to enjoy a catered evening as well as take part in a silent and live auction, resulting in exceeding the initial goal of $90,000.
“The tables were full, the people were dancing there was a lot of interest in the silent and live auctions as well,” says Watson.
Some of the items auctioned off included box tickets for the Owen Sound Attack, concert tickets, barbeques, and spa baskets.
She says for this year of fundraising, they have been focusing specifically on the hospital’s emergency department.
“Now we have a shortage of doctors everywhere you go and it has never been more important that a patient can get seen in an ER and it’s important that we have state-of-the-art modern, usable and effective equipment in there. Out of the $90,000, some of it is going to go to triage seats and some is going to go to a trauma bed,” says Watson. “With only three bids, we raised $30,000 to buy a new CPR machine.”
She says she plans to inform the hospital of the newly acquired funds and they will be able to proceed with the purchase of the new equipment.
Watson says events like this are not just important for fundraising, but it is also about having a nice evening with community members.