By Mayor Tom Mrakas

This week's column is a slight departure from my regular weekly columns.

It is a shameless appeal for support.

This weekend on Sunday is the Annual Run for Southlake and once again Team Aurora will be well represented!

As residents, business owners and community organizations already know, Aurora is a highly sought-after community for businesses and residential home buyers. We're known for our small town charm and big city amenities. One of the most important amenities we can offer our residents is the compassion and care that our regional hospital offers.

Southlake Regional Health Centre is a world-class medical facility that delivers leading edge care to the citizens of Aurora.

With more than 570 physicians and 3,456 staff, the hospital offers comprehensive patient care through their Regional Cancer, Cardiac and Mental Health programs. In the last year, the Maternal Child Unit saw more than 2,500 births and the Emergency Department received more than 110,000 visits!

The hospital is growing, as are the needs of our community.

Southlake is here for Aurorans when we need it and we want to ensure that it has the tools and technologies to care for our residents well into the future. That's why I'm asking for your support in sponsoring me for the Run for Southlake.

The 5K Run for Southlake takes place on Sunday, April 28, and funds raised support the most urgently needed tools and equipment –  things the hospital's team of experts rely on to save lives and provide our community with the care it deserves.

By sponsoring me, you're helping to support Team Aurora, as well as the current and future residents of our community - and your hospital.

To make a donation, simply visit srhcf.convio.net/goto/mayormrakas to help support this worthwhile cause.

Thank you in advance for your support.

That is all for this week. As always if you would like to get into contact with me please feel free to contact me anytime by phone 905-727-3123 ext. 4746 or by email tmrakas@aurora.ca.

If you would like to sign up for more newsletters and council updates then please visit Mrakas.ca/contact to join the growing list of Aurorans that are staying informed.