BRAMPTON, Ont. — The Munro family, who owns one of Canadas major trucking firms, has donated one million dollars towards the construction of Bramptons new hospital.

Doug Munro, President of Brampton-based Maritime-Ontario Freight Lines Limited , announced that his family will donate $1 million to Brampton Civic Hospital.

We feel this is a very important cause, said Munro, who made the announcement along side family and members of the William Osler Health Centre Foundation at M-Os headquarters at 1Maritime-Ontario Blvd. in Brampton. This hospital is desperately needed and we want to contribute to its construction.

Munro pledged the $1 million through the Graham Munro Charitable Foundation, an organization established in honour of his late father. His father co-founded Maritime-Ontario Freight Lines Limited almost half a century ago.

The family has since supported numerous charitable initiatives through the foundation including providing funds to help curb child poverty.

Munro said his connection to Brampton and Maritime-Ontarios close proximity to the new hospital is what inspired the family to donate the hefty sum.

Maritime-Ontario employs roughly 1,200 people across Canada, a large number of whom live locally.

A lot of our staff lives in the community so we thought this is a good way to give back, said Munro noting that his family has resided in Brampton for many years. There is a special need for this new hospital and we want to be good corporate sponsors.

Munro is also one of 32 volunteers that make up WOHCFs fundraising cabinet.

THE WOCHCFs Here for YouCaring for You campaign is the largest fundraising initiative for a community hospital currently being undertaken. Support for the William Osler Health Centre Foundations (WOHCF) $120 million campaign to build Brampton Civic, and redevelop Peel Memorial and Etobicoke General Hospitals, continues to move forward as the foundation has so far collected roughly $84 million in cash and pledges.

The foundation is grateful for the support, said Anne Randell, WOHCF president and CEO. Its such a great example to others in the community.

Were just hoping too that this will make Brampton an even better place to live, added Munros wife, Barbara. Knowing that there is a fabulous new hospital like that on the way is a drawing card for other businesses and residents to move to Brampton. It just puts Brampton on the map. This new hospital will serve to add growth to the community.

Brampton residents are responsible for 30 percent of the cost to build the 1.2 million square foot hospital facility located on the corner of Bovaird Drive and Bramalea Road.