Wine and food aficionados showed they also care about making northern B.C. a healthier place when they brought their chequebooks to a fundraising dinner last weekend.

The eighth annual Wine Lovers dinner at the Coast Inn of the North raised more than $24,000 for Sprit of the North Healthcare Foundation.

“It was a wonderful evening of incredible food, great wine pairings and a group of people who gave generously to the Spirit of the North through their bids on the wine related auction items,” said Spirit of the North board member and Citizen publisher Colleen Sparrow.

Guests at the event enjoyed a five-course meal Coast Inn of the North chef created by Tony Hesterman and his culinary staff, with wine provided by Kalala Organic Estate Winery of West Kelowna.

Spirit of the North has spearheaded fundraising projects since 1991, providing equipment and other healthcare enhancements at University Hospital of Northern B.C, formerly known as Prince George Regional Hospital. The foundation has funded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanners, ophthalmology lasers, digital radiographic suites, ultrasound units, a burn tank, a gamma camera and crash carts. It has also contributed to renovation projects at Jubilee Lodge seniors residence and the Maternal Child Centre of Excellence at UHNBC.

For more information about Spirit of the North's fundraising programs, call 250-565-2515 or go to spiritiofthenorth.ca.