Photo: Contributed

The weather may have been dark and stormy, but the spirit of giving was great.

A rain-shortened sixth annual Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation Golf Classic was forced to move indoors after eight holes due to a thunderstorm. 

The tournament and auction raised $242,000.

To private donations at the end of the event totalled more than $30,000, bringing the event's six-year contribution to $1 million.

A golf trip of a lifetime aboard the Kal Tire corporate jet to Bandon Dunes, Ore., was the highlight of the live auction, with auctioneer Kevin Rothwell selling the package for $35,000.

The Vantage One Credit Union team picked up the Herb Paterson Corporate Award, named for one of the course founders, who died in February.

“In our wildest expectations, we never thought we could reach this level so quickly. Absolutely amazing,” said a visibly emotional Cliff Oughtred, the tournament's chairman.

Funds were also raised for new communication devices and wall-mounted blood pressure machines for the hospital.