A scary incident involving a long-time member has the Nelson Squash Club asking for public help.
Rob McRory left the club feeling unwell Jan. 27 after organizing a party. The next day he was taken to Kelowna General Hospital after having suffered a suspected heart attack.
McRory's sudden hospitalization shook the club's members, according to president Pat Hodgson.
"Of all the guys in our club that are in that 55-age group, he's probably the fittest of all of us, which I think is why it was so shocking for many of us. ... There's a lot of guys at the club, myself included, who are nowhere near the kind of shape he is. It was a scary event."
Although McRory's heart attack didn't occur at the club, Hodgson wants to make sure they are prepared for that scenario.
To that end, the club is asking for help raising funds for a $1,500 defibrillator.
"We're not the youngest group in town for sure," he said. "This was kind of a wakeup call for us as a group, particular the board."
Hodgson said the club had just submitted a funding application through the Nelson and District Credit Union with a defibrillator on their wish list just prior to McRory's hospitalization.
He added the recent death of local businessman Danny Rickaby from a stroke was also a motivating factor.
But above all it's concern for McRory that prompted the club to go public.
"He's a long-time member," said Hodgson. "He's somebody who's there almost every day and goes to every event and pitches in all the time and puts in a lot of effort."
Donations can be made at the club, which is on 330 Baker St. Hodgson said there is also a burger and beer fundraiser at Jackson's Hole being planned in the coming weeks.