​Wingham Hospital receives largest donation in its history

Britespan Building Systems Inc. of Wingham has made history by donating $1-million to support the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation’s “Caring Together” capital campaign.

The goal of the campaign is to raise $2.5-million for a new Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner. Thanks to the remarkable gift from Britespan, the campaign is well on its way to achieving 50 per cent of that goal, states a press release from the hospital foundation, released Jan. 24.

This donation marks the largest single gift the foundation has ever received. It comes at an ideal time as the need to enhance the diagnostic imaging department with an on-site CT Scanner, has become a critical priority.

“This incredible gift from Britespan will transform the face of our hospital,” said foundation executive director Nicole Duquette-Jutzi. “The company’s generosity will be reflected in the experience of every patient who receives a CT scan close to home.”

Currently patients who need CT scans in Wingham are transported to Listowel. Having this service available on-site will be faster and safer, and save money. It will also allow for better utilization of scarce nursing and financial resources, and reducing travel will mean more patients receive care they might not otherwise be able to access.

Britespan co-owner Ben Hogervorst said that he and his associate, Rob Stute, as local family business owners, have always believed in the importance of supporting the local community.

“We have been putting money aside for several years now so that when the special need arose, we could step up and give in a big way,” he said. “Wingham is where the majority of our staff go for hospital care. We feel that responsibility to our community.”

The “Caring Together” fund-raising campaign is a vital step to securing a CT scanner for the Wingham Hospital, said Mark Foxton, chairman of the capital campaign.

“This gift will go a long way to making it a success. The Britespan team has been a long-time supporter of the hospital and this gift cements the company as a true philanthropic leader in our community. It’s my hope that this will inspire others to join in supporting this important project”.

To learn more about the “Caring Together” campaign or make a contribution, visit www.wdhfoundation.ca.



Taking part in the cheque presentation, are Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance CEO Karl Ellis (left), Wingham and District Hospital Foundation executive director Nicole Duquette-Jutzi, Britespan co-owners Ben Hogervorst and Rob Stute, and “Caring Together” capital campaign chairman Mark Foxton; photo courtesy of the hospital foundation