The 2022 Gran Fondo Lake Huron, presented by Bruce Power and Suppliers, raised a total of $400,770, completing the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation's (SMHF) $3 million Bring Tom to Town campaign. SMHF photo

Hub Staff

The Gran Fondo Lake Huron has come and gone and after two years of not being able to host the annual fundraising event due to the pandemic, they were back stronger than ever and completed their goal of raising enough funds to bring a CT scanner to the Southampton Hospital.

The 2022 event in support of SMHF's $3 million Bring Tom to Town campaign and, including a $100,000 matching pledge from Bruce Power, raised a total of $400,770.

As one of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation's (SMHF) biggest fundraising events each year, plenty of planning and preparation goes into making it happen.

"The kindness and generosity of our community, riders and sponsors has made this year’s event a record breaker and helped to complete the fundraising needed for the $3 million scanner campaign," said a recent media release from SMHF. "A heartfelt thank you to all the riders who fundraised for this ride and to all of our sponsors who made it possible for us to put on this event," the release said, adding that sponsorship support meant that 100 percent of the funds raised by participants will go directly to the CT scanner campaign.

As a way of giving thanks to the community, the SMHF is hosting a free barbecue in the parking lot of the Southampton Rexall on Thursday, September 1 from 11am to 2pm. The Southampton Rotary Club will be serving up burgers and Tomboi will be giving away free ice cream while supplies last.

The Bruce will be on location and face painting, balloon animals and games will be part of the festivities.