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Radford family leads fundraising effort

It’s truly a family affair.Four generations of Red Deer’s Radford family will chair the capital campaign to build a new Ronald McDonald House next to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
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Radford family

It’s truly a family affair.

Four generations of Red Deer’s Radford family will chair the capital campaign to build a new Ronald McDonald House next to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

Well known for a strong history of charitable work, Reg and Lyn Radford and their family were asked to help lead the campaign to raise money for the $12-million project.

“They’ll be our ambassadors,” says Marla Cohen, director of development for Ronald McDonald House in Southern Alberta.

Because Ronald McDonald Houses serve families rather than individuals, it was deemed appropriate to appoint a family, rather than an individual, to lead the campaign, says Cohen.

Lyn Radford says she and her family had no prior connection to Ronald McDonald Houses, except to support the concept.

“We’ve always been an advocate of it, both in Edmonton and Calgary, feeling that it was a really beneficial thing for a community to have,” she says.

Ronald McDonald House sought the Radford family because of their strong history of volunteering.

Reg and other members of their family have all worked on various community projects, while Lyn has taken the lead role in a number of initiatives. She was named Red Deer’s Citizen of the Year in May for her commitment to community projects.

Throughout her volunteer career, Lyn has encouraged members of her family to take part in community projects.

“I’ve always advocated that they have received the benefits of being a part of this community, so they have to gave back so others receive benefits.”

Joining Reg and Lyn in the campaign are Lyn’s mother, Margaret Imeson, along with couple’s adult children, their spouses and their children.

Family members include Jamie and Geordin Flett and their two little boys; Erin and Chris Buckland and their young son and daughter; Ashley and David Brant; and Andrew Radford.

“They all take their turns in different things,” says Lyn.

“Reg helps with the curling rink and Jamie has done numerous projects, particularly for the school she works for. Ashley has been involved in the torch relay and the Alberta Summer Games. Same with Erin.”

Radford’s currently heads up Red Deer’s segment of the Olympic Torch Relay and takes an active role on the Red Deer College board of governors. She is also involved with the Red Deer Curling Club’s building committee, Alberta Sport Development Centre, Westerner Park, United Way and the Red Deer and District Community Foundation.

bkossowan@www.reddeeradvocate.com