The winner of an online auction for a piece of Dartmouth history says he was motivated by the chance to help a local charity.

Bruce Richards snagged the Welcome to Dartmouth sign on behalf of his company, Global Firestop Services.

He saw it on the news and thought he'd check it out.

"And I'm addicted to auctions that have a good cause," he said.

The old sign greeted thousands of people over three decades. (Halifax Regional Municipality)

Halifax Regional Municipality announced it was selling off the old sign, and the proceeds would go to the Feeding Others of Dartmouth Society, which is often referred to as Margaret's House.

Richards had never heard of the charity, but once he looked it up, he knew he had to help.

He placed his first bid just over a week ago. He received notifications on his phone every time someone put more money on the table. Soon his staff got involved, cheering him on.

"It was fun."

After placing well over a dozen of bids, Richards won the sign for $3,200 on Friday morning.

"I bought it with the thought and hope of just giving back to the community I've worked in for many years."

After two weeks of online bidding, the sign sold for $3,200. (Halifax Regional Municipality)

In its former life, the piece of Dartmouth memorabilia hung over the pedway at Alderney Landing for 28 years. The old light greets people on one side, and has a cartoon drawing directing people to the ferry on the other.

But while the pedway was being renovated, Halifax Regional Municipality decided to replace the sign. A bigger replacement was installed in a more prominent location.

The old sign won't be installed at Global Firestop Services. Instead, Richards plans to donate that, too, to Margaret's House.

"If they'd like it, that would be great. They could maybe auction it off again sometime."

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