Guelph General Hospital celebrates remarkable million-dollar gift

Today Guelph General Hospital is celebrating a remarkable gift of $1 million from long-time Hospital supporters Bob and Sharon Ireland and family.

The gift supports the Hospital’s most urgent and essential equipment needs. In recognition of their gift, the Hospital’s 5W Surgical Unit will be renamed in their honour.

Bob and Sharon Ireland have been donors for more than 30 years personally, and through the company Bob started, Guelph Tool & Die Ltd. (now Guelph Manufacturing Group). Bob chaired the “Partners for Better Health” campaign in the late 1990s, that raised more than $12 million for Guelph General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health Centre. And, the family made a $1 million gift to St. Joseph’s last year.

“Healthcare is so important to our community and we feel fortunate to be in a position to make this gift,” said Bob Ireland.

The generous donation was welcomed by hospital President and CEO, Marianne Walker. “When I first learned of the extraordinary generosity of Bob and Sharon Ireland and their family, I was incredibly moved,” said Marianne. “This gift is important in so many ways. The funds will not only help our amazing team provide quality, patient-centred care, but we hope it will also serve as a source of inspiration for others. For all of this, we are deeply grateful.”

Foundation CEO Suzanne Bone commented “Donors make an incredible difference to the care we are able to provide at Guelph General Hospital, because they fund every piece of patient care equipment we purchase…the tools our caregivers need to provide comfort and caring, healing and curing to our community. Bob, Sharon and their family are an inspiration – their gift is already making and will continue to make a remarkable difference.”