Car enthusiasts will cruise to the hospital as both a show of support for front-line workers and also a fundraiser in the COVID-19 fight.
Cars 4 COVID is happening Saturday, April 18, in four locations in B.C., including Nanaimo.
Nanaimo organizer Chris Thibert said car enthusiasts wanted to find a way to help during the pandemic. They thought about trying to purchase protective equipment for health-care workers, but realized there were no masks to be had, and so they directed their efforts elsewhere – the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital Foundation’s COVID-19 Response and Research Funds.
People are being asked to purchase Cars 4 COVID decals for $5, or donate to the cause directly online.
The cruise Saturday is planned so that the autos arrive at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital right at 7 p.m. in time for the nightly salute to health-care workers. The cruise will leave Southgate Shopping Centre a little after 6:30 p.m. and stage at the Nanaimo Curling Centre on its way to the hospital.
Thibert said 60 motorists have already expressed an intention to participate this Saturday’s event.
“And it’s only going to get bigger…” he said. “There’s a wide variety of cars from muscle cars, imports, a few exotic cars, everything.”
Cars for COVID will happen on alternating Saturdays, probably approaching the hospital from different routes.
“That way the whole community can see what we’re doing and get the word out there. That’s basically the plan,” Thibert said.
For more information, visit the Cars 4 COVID Facebook page. The other cruise locations are Victoria, Comox Valley and Burnaby.
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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