THE Western District Health Service (WDHS) MRI for U&I Appeal has surpassed the $1 million milestone after Coleraine Community Bank generously donated $50,000 to the project.

Coleraine Community Bank board chair, Simon Ferrier said the MRI project was something the Board, branch staff, and customers were eager to support.

“We’re a community bank, and giving back is a key part of what we do,” he said. 

“Our goal is to return profits to our local community, and since the branch was established in 2003, we’ve donated over $1 million to local causes.

“When you bank with a community bank, you are investing in the region.

“In this case, to ensure locals have access to the best available tests for diagnosing and monitoring everything from cancers, to stroke and sports injuries.

“We are very pleased to be supporting a project that will make such a difference to the lives of so many in Coleraine and across the Southern Grampians.”

WDHS chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald said he was inspired by the generosity of the community and was grateful to everyone who had contributed to making the dream of a local MRI close to reality.

“It’s been quite extraordinary,” he said.

“The Health Service has always been really well supported by the community, but the response to this Appeal has been truly humbling.

 “We are incredibly grateful to Community Bank Coleraine Board, branch manager, Mary-Ann Summers, bank staff, customers, and shareholders for this substantial donation to our Appeal.”

With a number of upcoming MRI fundraisers and government grants in the pipeline, Mr Fitzgerald said he expected the project to be completed later this year.

“To date we have raised $1,032,000, and with possible grants and major events including October’s Medicine Ball gala and a soon to be launched raffle all going towards the MRI project, we are getting close to the finish line,” he said.

“The recent Federal Budget announcement regarding the licence also means we can push ahead knowing that patients will be able to get the scans they need, close to home, without high out-of-pocket expenses.”