The Gimli Community Health Centre has received a boost to getting an essential piece of equipment.

Executive Director of the Interlake-Eastern Health Foundation Pamela McCallum outlines what they're getting and where it's coming from.

"The Gimli Community Health Centre received a grant from the Dr. Elaine Sigurdson Memorial Scholarship Fund, and that fund is held with the Westshore Community Foundation," says McCallum. "What they did was they purchased a tilt wheelchair for the acute care program in Gimli."

The grant received was for $2400. McCallum talks about how the tilt wheelchair is beneficial to them.

"When individuals are unable to shift their weight independently, or if they're sitting upright for long periods, the tilt wheelchair eliminates pressure points, so it's easier on the patients," says McCallum. "It's also easier on the staff, because they don't have to move people constantly. They can just have them in the chair to move them around."

The fund was established in memory of Dr. Elaine Sigurdson, who passed away at 53 years old due to Multiple Sclerosis. The scholarship is usually given to a former student from the Evergreen School Division who has been accepted into the Faculty of Medicine or the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Manitoba. Since no student met the criteria, the funds were given to the community health centre.

McCallum says these kinds of opportunities are great for everyone.

"We're so grateful for the support from the Westshore Community Foundation and the Dr. Elaine Sigurdson Memorial Scholarship Fund. It goes to show that when community groups work together for the betterment of health, everyone wins. We're looking forward to working with them on future projects."