(WESTERN CANADA) – STARS, the non-profit air ambulance organization, got some much-needed funding from Cargill to help replace its fleet of helicopters.
Thanks to a $400,000 grant from Cargill, STARS will continue to replace its aging fleet with nine new medically outfitted Airbus H145 helicopters.
“At Cargill, the safety of others is guided by our values of putting people first and doing the right thing,” says Cargill President Jeff Vassart. “We are proud to support STARS and the critical emergency care they provide to rural and remote communities when it’s needed most.”
According to a release, the cost of one Airbus H145 is approximately $13 million. The new aircraft will support STARS efforts to care for patients from Manitoba to British Columbia for the next 30 years.
Since mid-2019, the new helicopter has been flying missions from two of its bases. With government, community, and corporate support, STARS hopes to see the entire fleet delivered by 2022.
“Our supporters ride along with us on every mission, and we’re so thankful our allies are helping us renew our fleet, particularly through these challenging times, when community support is so critical to our operations,” says STARS President and CEO, Andrea Robertson.
“These new aircraft are a generational investment in our ability to fight for the lives of Western Canadians for decades to come, and we’re exceedingly thankful to Cargill for their financial support and leadership.”
To find out how you can contribute to the new fleet, go to the STARS website.
