The President of the Steinbach Legion presented a cheque Friday to Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach.

The cheque was for $4,000 and has been used to purchase a spirometry machine. Bill Richards says the money comes from the Legion's Poppy Fund.

"This community has always generously supported that campaign, particularly in the past few years," says Richards. "We are honoured to pass that hard earned donated money on to the community."

Jan Gunness is Director of Health Services at Bethesda. She says the spirometry machine is used to test lung function and to help organize respiratory therapy.

"Our respiratory therapist who just started with us last fall is excited to get this brand new piece of equipment," says Gunness.

The hospital has one such machine as this one replaces an older one. Gunness says often between twenty and twenty-five people per week will have an appointment to use it.

"It's a very valuable piece for us," she says. "We are so excited to have donations come from our community, we are so grateful for their willingness to support the hospital."

All of the money collected during the poppy campaign is deposited into the Poppy Fund. The Legion Branch must follow specific rules that outline how these funds may be used to assist veterans, their family and the local community.

In the past four months, the Steinbach Legion has also donated $2,000 to the Vita Hospital for the purchase of four new mattresses, $2,000 to the Stoneybrook Air Cadet Squadron and $1,000 to Deer Lodge Centre for the purchase of over-bed tables.