The first-ever Ribfest left its mark in Swift Current raising some vital funds for the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation.

Upwards of $14,000 was raised for the non-profit organization from the event and that chunk of money will go towards buying a mobile X-ray system for the Cypress Regional Hospital.

Clay Thompson, executive director of the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation, said their organization was really pleased with how the three-day event transpired.

"We thought it was an excellent event," he said. "I think Living Sky Casino had done a tremendous job of organizing, planning, and promoting the event. It was pretty obvious from anybody that was there that the public responded accordingly."

Around $50,000 has been raised so far by the foundation for the X-ray machine from a trio of events this year including the Black Tie Hockey Draft, the Annual Charity Golf Classic, and Ribfest.

"The best estimate on the price we've got right now is about $150,000," Thompson said. "There is some discussion from the health authority that there might be more than one of these needed in the province and as such, they're hoping to get a bit of a bulk buy from the supplier, but at this time we're budgeting for $150,000."

The foundation is hoping to have the machine purchased and ready to go before the end of the year and with the radiothon in past years raising around $100,000, Thompson thinks that fundraiser should help them get the remaining funds they require for the purchase.