Donations poured in recently from BC's South Asian community for the victims of Typoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Surrey based radio station RED FM hosted a radiothon on Friday, November 15. A total of $480,000 was raised is pledged to the Canadian Red Cross and Surrey Memorial Hospital's specialized Stroke Unit.

Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation will receive 80 per cent of the Radiothon funds, and the Canadian Red Cross 20 per cent.

“RED FM and the members of our local South Asian community always inspire me with their passion for the causes they believe to be important for family and community,” said Surrey Memorial Hospital President Jane Adams.

“The success of this year’s Radiothon indicates how much they appreciate their local hospital and understand the importance of addressing stroke, a life-threatening health problem that’s more prevalent in adults of South Asian heritage. A big thank you to RED FM and to everyone who donated or volunteered.”

South Asian Broadcasting Corporation President Kulwinder Sanghera said RED FM experienced a high volume of donors making donations and pledges.

“RED FM is ‘by the community for the community.’ As a community, we have responded to two very important needs,” he said. “Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s philosophy was to share with the needy, and I am very happy to see that the community has given a huge gift in celebration of our Guru’s birthday. I am very grateful for the support shown by the community.”

For more information go to www.smhfoundation.com/campaigns/redfm.