The campaign to renew STARS鈥� helicopter fleet has been given a significant lift, thanks to a $500,000 gift from MNP鈥檚 Partners across Saskatchewan. The donation was made public on Thursday at the STARS air ambulance base by Trevor Friesen, CPA, CA and Partner with MNP in Saskatoon.
鈥淥n behalf of MNP鈥檚 Saskatchewan Partners, I am proud to announce the combined personal donations of $500,000 to the Pegasus Project, supporting STARS鈥� campaign to update its fleet of helicopters,鈥� said Friesen. 鈥淲e work and live in communities that benefit from access to STARS. It is this connection to STARS鈥� impact that motivated MNP Partners in Saskatchewan to personally contribute to this life-saving initiative.鈥�
Melissa Swayze, CPA, CA, is a partner in MNP鈥檚 Weyburn office who says that supporting STARS is a natural fit, as the non-profit service touches so many people and families across the province. 鈥淲hether someone needs help in a bigger centre or a small community, where many of us grew up or now live, every time I see that red helicopter in the air I think of the many lives that have been impacted by STARS.鈥�
MNP鈥檚 gift will support the Pegasus Project 鈥� a unique fundraising initiative created by businessman Vaughn Wyant and supported by community leaders to sell a custom-built, one-of-a-kind 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang 427 coupe at the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona in January 2022. All proceeds will go to STARS鈥� new fleet.
鈥淭his would not have come together without the Pegasus Project and its leaders,鈥� said Friesen. 鈥淢NP has an excellent relationship with the volunteer committee behind the Pegasus Project, and we were excited about the idea of turning an incredible vehicle build into something amazing for our Saskatchewan communities.鈥�
In June 2018, STARS unveiled a multi-year plan to replace its fleet of BK117 and AW139 aircraft with nine new medically equipped Airbus H145 helicopters, at a cost of CAD $13 million each.
鈥淭he bulk of our aging fleet is no longer 小蓝视频 built and is becoming costlier to maintain,鈥� said Andrea Robertson, STARS president and CEO. 鈥淎dditionally, independent assessments of our fleet鈥檚 sustainability told us we needed to move from two aircraft types to one.鈥�
An extensive review resulted in the selection of the H145 aircraft as the best option for STARS鈥� new fleet. It offers cutting-edge technology, advanced safety features, and an updated version of the medical interior found in STARS鈥� existing helicopters.The remainder of the new fleet is expected to be delivered in 2021.
聽鈥淲e鈥檙e so thankful that our allies are helping us renew our fleet, particularly through these challenging times, when community support is so critical to our operations,鈥� said Robertson.聽
聽鈥淥ur supporters ride along with us on every mission, and thanks to the leadership and financial support of these generous MNP Partners, we are closer to the goal of having our mission continue in a new fleet that will serve patients and communities across Western Canada for decades to come.鈥�
