Thanks to a $5,500 grant from the Salt Spring Island Foundation, the Red Cross can loan islanders a wider array of medical equipment from its facility at the Lady Minto Hospital.

“It’s all brand new and very well received,” said Reg Taylor, a volunteer with the Red Cross’ medical equipment loan service. “Many islanders are going to like having this here.”

Taylor and a contingent of other volunteers spent much of last Wednesday morning unloading boxes of crutches, walkers, commodes and bath seats as part of the Red Cross’ latest shipment of bariatric equipment for islanders.

Whatever equipment cannot fit into the small office tucked into the Lady Minto Hospital’s basement beside the rear parking lot will get shipped to the island from Victoria whenever it is needed.

The Red Cross provides quality home-use medical equipment loans on a by-donation basis. The depot is run by volunteers and relies on the support it receives from individuals and groups in the community.

Up until last week, bariatric items were shipped from Victoria, creating a cost that was proving prohibitive for both the Red Cross and its clients.

The Salt Spring Foundation’s Bob Rush was on hand to witness the delivery.

He said the Red Cross’ efforts to offer medical equipment on a by-donation basis serves a wide demographic of community residents.

According to the Red Cross’ David Paul, the project has proven so successful that the team’s next priority is finding a larger space for the Salt Spring operation.

Equipment is available by calling 250-538-4834 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.