The Yukon Hospital Foundation received another big boost to its holiday fund-raising drive Wednesday with an early Christmas present from local businessman Tippy Mah.

The gift came as a surprise to everyone, including Craig Tuton, chair of the Yukon Hospital Corp.

"When Tippy called to tell me he was giving us this money, I said, 'How much, five or 10 thousand?' He said, 'No, no, no, don't be stupid; a big one.'"

And a big one it is.

The owner of the 2-0-2 Motel has shown his Christmas spirit with a cheque for $100,000 made out to the hospital foundation.

"This will top off the CAT scanner," foundation board member Jason Bilskey said of where the money will go. "Whatever is left over will be put towards the next major piece of equipment."

Hospital representatives went to a radiology show in Chicago two weeks ago to suss out their new CT scanner. They are now touring a facility where the machine is in use, said Tuton, adding that the scanner should be in operation on April 1, 2009.

"It will really enhance our diagnostic capabilities," he said.

The last month has seen a flood of donations come in to the foundation's coffers, all of which are going toward the $1.9-million CT scanner.

The hospital foundation was formed in 2005 to bring enhanced diagnostic and treatment services to Whitehorse General Hospital. Since that time, it has raised $1.8 million in cash and commitments.

Mah, who moved to Whitehorse from Edmonton in 1965, said he made the donation as a way to say "Thank you" to all Yukoners for their years of support.

"I love everything about the Yukon," the 71-year-old businessman said. "The community has been very good to me."

All three of Mah's adult children were born at the hospital, he said.

"So I have a real attachment to the hospital and the community. To help the hospital is a wonderful thing, because so many people, both young and old, need to use it."

He recalled coming up north as a young man, inspired by a promotional poster that read, "Young men go north!"

He did just that, and soon after arriving, got into the hotel business. He opened the Bonanza and T&M lounges. He has since sold those bars and now owns the 2-0-2 as well as several commercial properties around the city.

And he has never forgotten the words that brought him here.

"I still say that," he said. "Young men go north, and you can come work for me."