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‘It’s overwhelming:’ support explodes for grassroots Nanaimo Hospital fundraiser

Feb 23, 2018 | 3:47 PM

NANAIMO — What started out as an idea to raise a few bucks for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital’s maternity ward has taken on a life of its own.

Brian Curley and his wife Rhiannon are giving back to the hospital by hosting 10 Laps For Lennox on Saturday, March 3 at Westwood Lake. Lennox, the couple’s first child, was born with breathing difficulties in November of last year and required attention at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“Our nerves were definitely calmed,” Curley said after hearing a care plan for Lennox and seeing the equipment at NRGH. “After four days in the NICU Lennox came home and he’s been doing great since.”

Curley had a modest fundraising goal of $500 for the NRGH maternity ward, but that was smashed and an estimated $3,500 and counting has already been raised through private and corporate sources.

He said it was inspiring to see the community raise the fundraising bar.

“We’re just looking to raise some money and pay back to the hospital,” Curley told NanaimoNewsNOW.  “We live in a country where healthcare is free and we didn’t want to take that for granted.”

Curley, an avid runner, will take on the daunting task of jogging around Westwood Lake 10 times. He said 100 per cent of the funds raised will go to the Hospital Foundation, split between the perinatal and neonatal intensive care units.

People are invited to join Curley for the run around Westwood Lake and donate cash in person between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Curley said the easiest way to donate online is through the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation website.

People can also donate to the cause via FundRazr by clicking here.

 

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes