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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, March 31, 2016 | 8 ...And the Birmingham Bank Bed Challenge is on by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Hospital beds masquerading as makeshift racers will line downtown Oakville in a month's time to draw support for Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH). The Birmingham Bank Bed Challenge, now in its 11th year, pits teams from six major banks in Oakville against one another in a friendly competition while raising muchneeded funds to purchase patient care beds for the new Oakville hospital, which opened at Third Line and Dundas Street last December. Wednesday (March 30), representatives from the Bank of Montreal (BMO), CIBC, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Scotiabank, TD Bank and National Bank joined Oakville Hospital Foundation (OHF) and Halton Healthcare officials in OTMH's John Oliver Auditorium for the official kick-off of a month-long fundraising campaign ahead of the race May 1, which will be held along Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville. Donning their bank colours while making noise with horns, mini cow bells and plastic hand-clappers, teams expressed their excitement at participating in the annual event, launched by former Scotiabank president and OHF board member, the late Bruce Birmingham. "He believed through healthy competition, which the banks already enjoy, some good could be done," said Tina Triano, CEO of the OHF . Noting that Birmingham recognized the need for one of the most important pieces of hospital equipment, the hospital bed, she added the support is appreciated, especially with the new hospital's capacity for 457 beds. "I'm really thrilled to hear some of the strategy that's going to take place this year in your fundraising. You've done a remarkable job raising what you have thus far," said Triano. Collectively, the banks hope to raise $130,000. Since its inception in 2006, more than $1.2 million has been raised to support the Oakville hospital. "We always want to show our support, not only in the numbers we bring out, but the funds that are raised because we know it goes to such a great cause," said Shawn Evans, the general manager of CIBC's downtown Oakville location. He encouraged his peers to push themselves to raise a little more than last year so collectively, they can all "come out ahead." Denise Hardenne, President and CEO of Halton Healthcare, shared how events like the Birmingham Bank Bed Challenge are essential to helping the hospital support the community. see Hospital on p.24 Representatives from six major banks in Oakville met Wednesday to kick off the 11th annual Birmingham Bank Bed Challenge fundraising event to help purchase patient care beds for Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH). The campaign culminates May 1 when the annual race takes place along Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville. | photo by Jayson Mills - special to the Beaver Looking for direction in a volatile market? Let's talk. Marc Nutford - Financial Advisor 2387 Trafalgar Road, Unit E2, Oakville, ON L6H 6K7 905-844-4043 · www.edwardjones.com Announcing Our Newest Team Member "As fiduciaries we provide objective, transparent and goals-based wealth management, resulting in solutions for affluent families and business owners. I am very proud to be a part of a truly holistic financial planning and portfolio manager. - Andrew Brydon, CPA, CA abrydon@wealthstewards.ca T: (905) 891-6052 wealthstewards.ca ABBEY ARMS GlEn ABBEY'S OnlY AuthEntic BRitiSh PuB! Join us every sunday live music, James anthony Band's "sunday sermon" 3:30pm ­ 7:00pm visit our website for upcoming events! Great Fish & chips served here! 481 North Service Rd. @ 4th Line, Oakville 905-825-1109 www.abbeyarmspub.ca *With the purchase of an adults meal MOndAY niGhtS KidS EAt FREE 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville · 905-257-5880 905-257-5880 maximekitchens.ca maximekitchens.ca