Vancouver International Airport / Aéroport international de Vancouver (YVR) and Hope Air are proud to announce the successful completion of the first-ever Haul for Hope event at YVR. Haul for Hope is an exciting firetruck pull fundraising event organized by Hope Air, aiming to raise crucial funds for Canadians in need of medical care far from home.
On Friday, October 13, nine teams took part in pulling one of YVR's firetrucks, Red 9, weighing 27,000 kilograms. Each team set out to fundraise a minimum of $3,500 in support of Hope Air. They went above and beyond, raising an impressive $21,500 in total! The teams went head-to-head in a friendly competition to see who could pull the firetruck the fastest, with the fastest pull time earning the 2023 Haul for Hope championship.
Taking into account fundraising efforts and the pull times, below are the winners:
- First place: High Heat Haulers 2: North Vancouver, Port Moody and Coquitlam Fire Department representatives (pull time of 28.59 seconds)
- Second place: High Heat Haulers 1: North Vancouver, Port Moody and Coquitlam Fire Department representatives (pull time of 29.11 seconds)
- Third place: YVR Mod Squad: one of three Vancouver Airport Authority teams (pull time of 37.54 seconds)
Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing support through flights, accommodations, meal vouchers and ground transportation to Canadians in financial need, who must travel to reach medical care far from home. All funds raised from this event will go towards Hope Air’s mission of ensuring no patient is left behind when accessing vital medical care.
YVR’s commitment to the longstanding partnership with Hope Air is strengthened by shared values of serving the community, especially during times of greatest need.
The event signified the hurdles that patients from remote communities in Canada face when accessing lifesaving medical care.
Our partners at Hudson News Stores (Avolta Group) are also showing their support for Hope Air by allowing shoppers to round up their transactions, with funds raised going to Hope Air.
Currently, Hope Air has already facilitated over 16,000 travel arrangements, surpassing the annual record in the first two thirds of the year for children and families in need of medical care. The number of travel arrangements is expected to reach over 17,000 by the end of 2023.