The Okotoks Fire Department is lending a hand to their neighbours in the South giving some the proceeds from last fall's Fireman's Ball.

A cheque for $5700 was presented to the High River District Health Care Foundation Thursday morning, going towards the High River Hospital's Cancer Treatment Centre.

Okotoks Fire Captain Dave Hodgins says the donation hits home for many of his fire fighter brethren.

"Cancer is very close to fire fighting and unfortunately its one of the job hazards that we deal with," he says. "So being a little selfish we're looking down the road where we try to prevent it ourselves but also having good quality care is important to us."

The new $1.6 million dollar facility is expected to be completed in High River by next year.

Hodgins says the department will do whatever it takes to help those in close and surrounding communities get great cancer treatment without having to travel to Calgary to do it.

"We've just had so many friends and family affected by cancer so we really wanted to support that cause."

The department has also donated an equal amount of money to the Alberta Children's Burn Fund Kids Camp.

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