Care in the Cart campaign exceeds its $1.25 million goal

September 2, 2026

By Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

More critical diagnostic equipment will be coming to North Hastings Hospital in Bancroft due to overwhelming community support that made the Care in the Cart Campaign’s $1.25 million fundraising goal a reality, and then some, recently. Kim Bishop, the chair of the North Hastings Fund Development Committee, sent The Bancroft Times a media release on Aug. 13, saying that the cornerstone of the campaign was the purchase of a new digital X-ray system to ensure local patients have access to modern diagnostic technology close to home. Other essential equipment will now be able to be procured by the hospital due to this fundraising success. She said that the campaign’s success reflects an extraordinary level of community support including unprecedented contributions from local municipalities and Hastings County, the continued generosity of the North Hastings Hospital Auxiliary, and donations from individuals, busnineses and community organizations. She also wanted to give a special shout out to donors who challenged others in their community to take part, and help build momentum throughout the campaign.

“A significant final gift allowed the fund development committee to make the campaign’s last payment and officially bring the fundraising effort to its successful conclusion.

“This campaign is a wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together with a common purpose. We have seen an incredible response from our municipalities, healthcare partners,

donors and volunteers. Every contribution helped us reach this goal and, ultimately, will make a difference to patients receiving care at our hospital. The equipment is important but what is perhaps even more significant is what this campaign says about our community. People believe in the hospital and they believe in the importance of excellent healthcare close to home. And they’re willing to invest in it,” she says.

Care in the Cart campaign was led by the volunteer North Hastings Fund Development Committee, which takes great pride in responsible stewardship of donor dollars.

“The committee continues to raise funds at a cost of less than five cents for every dollar raised, ensuring that the vast majority of donations go directly toward equipment and patient care. The committee also recognizes the important partnership of Quinte Health leadership, local hospital leadership and the diagnostic imaging staff who will use this equipment to provide care to patients every day,” she says.

Members of the Fund Development Committee gathered with representatives of the community, healthcare partners, municipalities and donors to mark the achievement of reaching the $1.25 million goal at the hospital on Aug. 13, and to express their appreciation to everyone who contributed to the campaign. Bishop says that Care in the Cart was more than a fundraising success, it was a testament to what is possible when a community believes, gives and works together.

Hastings Highlands Mayor Tony Fitzgerald was there on Aug. 13 and said he was honoured to be invited as one of the representatives of local government, along with Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins and Tudor and Cashel Mayor Dave Hederson.

“The Municipality of Hastings Highlands donated $10,000. I was also there to represent Hastings County as deputy warden. The County gave $150,000 to this initiative,” he says.

Bishop told The Bancroft Times on Aug. 17 that they had a great little celebration on Aug. 13 at the hospital and that they had representatives of their donor base; municipalities, community groups, individual donors joining the fund development committee and Quinte Health staff. She said they are particularly proud of being able to raise $1.25 million after just finishing their CT scanner campaign which raised $3 million.

“Also of note, we were able to raise this money at a cost of $0.025…which means 97.5 per cent of what is raised goes directly to the purchase of the equipment. That is a phenomenal return. We are able to keep our costs so low because we are volunteers who believe in what we are doing and committed to succeed,” she says. “We built this campaign on trust, transparency, and a common goal of ensuring priority equipment is in our hospital for patients, physicians and staff.”