REGINA - An Estevan area resident was a star for the STARS Air Ambulance’s Rescue on the Prairie on Thursday.
Ryan Saxon, president of Border Insulators and R&R Tank and Equipment Rentals, was able to raise $90,747 for STARS, thanks to the support of local individuals, the business community and other donors.
The goal for Saxon and the other participants was $50,000.
More than $427,000 was raised by Saxon and three other Saskatchewan business and community leaders through Rescue on the Prairie.
Joining Saxon were Jordan Clarke, the sales director for Saskatchewan and Manitoba for Ritchie Bros.; Wayne Morksy, the board chair of REAL; and Corey Leonard, the chief operating officer of Western Sales.
Rescue on the Prairie participants were airlifted by helicopter to a remote location outside of Regina Thursday morning. To secure their rescue and return to civilization, they needed to raise at least $50,000 each using their mobile phones and personal networks. The public was encouraged to support the participants by donating online.
Participants could fundraise in advance.
Each individual and their STARS crew partner participated in a series of challenges, including a flight readiness race, simulated medical and aviation scenarios; a fundraising challenge to see who could raise the most money over the phone in 30 minutes; and a timed scavenger hunt through the remote site.
Winners of the challenges received sponsored cash prizes to go toward their individual fundraising totals.
The opportunity to learn more about STARS’ operations hands-on through the challenges enabled some of the participants to gain a deeper appreciation for the organization and its importance to the safety and well-being of communities across Western Canada.
After government support, STARS must raise 50 per cent of the funds needed to run the Regina and Saskatoon bases. Raising $10.5 million annually is achieved through corporate sponsorship, fundraising and community support.
Rescue on the Prairie has become one of the organization’s largest one-day fundraisers, raising more than $2.7 million in its six years of existence. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Next week’s edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
