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Royals help raise over $500K for palliative care residence

Click to play video: 'Royals help raise funds for West Island Palliative Care Residence'
Royals help raise funds for West Island Palliative Care Residence
WATCH ABOVE: Autumn Philips and her husband Peter Philips, a royal couple with local ties, were the guests of hounour at Friday's Valentine’s Ball benefiting the West Island Palliative Care Residence. – Feb 13, 2016

MONTREAL – The West Island community raised over half a million dollars for it’s beloved palliative care residence at its 17th annual Valentine’s Day Ball held at the Chateau Vaudreuil Friday evening.

A who’s who of West Islanders attended the fundraiser.

At the top of the list, a native of Pointe-Claire, Autumn Philips and her husband,  Peter Philips, the son of Princess Anne and the grandson of  Queen Elizabeth.

Autumn spoke to the crowd at the end of the evening, noting that she had spent most of her life in Pointe-Claire where she played baseball, soccer and ringuette.

She praised the compassion and understanding of the staff at the residence and thanked them for the invitation to visit it earlier in the day.

From left to right : Lily Mancini, Committee Co-Chair; Chirfi Guindo, Honorary President of the 17th Annual Valentine’s Ball and President and Managing Director, Merck Canada Inc.; Rhonda O’Gallagher, Committee Co-Chair and Head of Corporate Affairs, Pfizer Canada Inc.; Val Pietrantonio, President, West Island Palliative Care Residence and Vice President, Human Resources, Merck Canada Inc.; Mrs. Autumn Phillips; Mr. Peter Phillips, son of The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh; Rob Havill, President, West Island Palliative Care Residence Foundation and Director, Wealth Advisory, Turn8 Partners; Teresa Dellar, Executive Director and Co-Founder, West Island Palliative Care Residence. West Island Palliative Care Residence

Other dignitaries included several provincial cabinet ministers and all the West Island mayors.

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Quebec’s  Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusivity Kathleen Weil spoke to the gathering about her family’s personal experience at the residence, pointing out that the staff and volunteers treat each resident as an individual, helping them and their families with their specific needs.

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It was a sold out crowd that included numerous professional athletes including retired Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo and boxers Otis Grant and Lucian Bute.

WATCH BELOW:  Teresa Dellar, founder and executive director of the West Island Palliative Care Residence and Yolande James, one of the residence’s greatest ambassador’s speak to senior anchor Jamie Orchard about the 17th annual Valentine’s Ball.

Click to play video: 'Focus Montreal: Valentine’s Ball'
Focus Montreal: Valentine’s Ball

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