A local farmer has left the gift of health for sick children. 

Harvey Hurrell was a farmer from near Pennant, who after his death, left $480,000 to the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation in the form of a legacy donation. This enormous contribution will be used for general needs, like research funding, equipment procurement, and other front-of-the-line spending. 

While Hurrell had no children of his own, his extended family is proud of the dedication he has shown to supporting the children of Saskatchewan. His nephew, Ryan Hurrell, is glad to see his uncle's wish come true. 

"I was very proud of Harvey's decision to leave such a large donation to such a great cause here in Saskatchewan," said Ryan. "This is something he expressed to me [an interest in doing] in the years before he had passed away."

Ryan expressed that Harvey had a legendary soft spot for children, especially those who were ill. 

"He didn't have a close personal history with the hospital, but he always had a soft spot for kids in his life and he always just thought sick kids deserved their best shot at a better life," said Ryan. "So, this was something he could do to help out with that."

In recent years, a number of children from southwest Saskatchewan have needed the amazing doctors at the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation. It is donations like Harvey's that continue to allow them to do the work they do, and for the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation to provide the latest and greatest in pediatric medicine.

Laura Gawletz, the philanthropy and stewardship manager for the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation, was thrilled to hear about the kindness of Harvey and his want to make a legacy donation. 

"We're so grateful to be able to connect with his family and really make an impact with his wishes for children's and maternal healthcare here in our province," said Gawletz. 

The lump sum of $480,000 was handed over to the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation in February. Since then, they have put it towards the purchase of new equipment funding research into advanced pediatric and maternal care and treatments and ensuring that these kids receive the help they need, no matter the cost. 

"Our foundation is so grateful when we hear about people who want to include philanthropy in their estate planning," said Gawletz. "If they are interested in making a legacy donation to Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation, we encourage them to speak with their financial advisor and their lawyers."