A Vancouver real estate developer has donated $75,000 to North Shore Rescue’s legacy fund honouring the memory of their team leader who passed away last year.

Marcon’s contribution to the Tim Jones Legacy Fund is based on a portion of home sales from their Mill House development in Lynn Valley. Each home sold will raise money toward a larger corporate donation to the fund.

Marco Paolella, president of Marcon, hopes the donation will inspire buyers and other developers.

“Tim Jones dedicated his life to helping others in need,” said Paolella. “He was the backbone of NSR and we want to help ensure his lifelong work continues and support the volunteers of NSR because we are so grateful for the life-saving work they perform.”

North Shore Rescue hopes to raise $6 million this year for the legacy fund, which will help buy equipment and provide financial stability.

It’s an important year for the organization , which is marking its 50th anniversary of rescuing stranded skiers, snowboarders and hikers, as well as the one-year anniversary of Jones’s death.

“This is the first time we’ve been supported by the real estate industry,” said NSR team leader Mike Danks. “It’s exciting because we hope it will encourage others to step up and to understand the value in donating to a growing and essential service organization largely dependent on public funding and volunteers.”