White Rock, B.C. – For Al & Lynda Ecclestone, Peace Arch Hospital has been part of some of life’s most meaningful moments. They’ve relied on PAH for over 40 years as long-time residents of White Rock/South Surrey, from welcoming new family members to navigating loss, and everything in between. Over the decades, they’ve watched the hospital evolve alongside their growing community. When the time came to give back, it felt like a natural next step.

“We wanted to do something for the hospital that has helped us so much for so many years,” Al shares. “If we can make a meaningful gift, why not do it?”

As committed community supporters, Al & Lynda have contributed in many ways, including volunteering on Boards, supporting schools, amateur sports, and donating locally. When the Foundation launched our Medical Imagining Campaign in 2024, they saw it as an opportunity to make a lasting impact.  

“The Foundation’s campaigns show there is a clear plan and purpose,” says Al. “When we toured the imaging department, we heard how often equipment was under maintenance, so we knew this was an area where support was really needed.” 

With a background as a CPA, a former Partner at KPMG, and a financial advisor at CIBC Wood Gundy, retiring in 2017, Al understands that there are many ways to give. Together with their financial advisor, they explored what approach would work best for their situation.

“It all depends on the person’s individual decision,” Al explains. “A financial advisor can help you understand what makes the most sense for you based on your financial plan.”

For Al & Lynda, donating publicly traded securities was the best option. Gifts of shares are an easy and tax-smart way to support charities, often allowing donors to eliminate capital gains tax on appreciated investments. This means you don’t pay income tax on capital gains that would otherwise be taxable, so a $10,000 donation can potentially cost significantly less on an after tax basis than a cash donation. “it’s quite a simple process,” notes Al.

Here’s how it works:  

  1. Visit your professional advisor and review your portfolio to identify shares with a low-cost base and high fair market value
  2. Download the Share Transfer Form from the Foundation website
  3. Confirm the security and number of shares you’d like to donate with your advisor
  4. Sign the form. Your advisor will submit it to our Foundation who will issue an income tax receipt for the value of the donated shares

“The level of care is just outstanding at PAH,” says Al. “Our hospital has some of the best people in the Lower Mainland.”

For Al and Lynda, the decision was about more than the giving method. It was also about ensuring our hospital can continue to meet the needs of our growing community.

“The hospital is very much a fixture in our lives for a lot of reasons and, as our population grows, the demands become greater. If we and others can donate $1 or $1,000,000, our hospital can make the capital improvements it needs to ensure future services will be delivered in the most efficient manner.” – Al & Lynda Ecclestone, PAHCHF supporter