Over $100,000 Raised to Help Canadians Access Medical Care Through Haul for Hope 2025 at YTZ
Toronto (September 15, 2025) – Haul for Hope, presented by Hope Air, returned to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport this past weekend, raising over $100,000 to support Canadians who must travel long distances to access vital medical care.
The event brought together 18 teams to pull a 67,000-lb Porter Airlines aircraft across the airport tarmac – a powerful symbol of the challenging journeys faced by the patients and families Hope Air serves each year.
“Every dollar raised today helps remove the barrier of distance from medical care,” said Mark Rubinstein CEO, Hope Air. “We’re incredibly proud of the strength, spirit, and generosity shown by our teams, sponsors and volunteers.”
Haul for Hope is a national event series that’s been building momentum each year to raise money for those in need of medical assistance, meeting the growing need for Hope Air’s travel support services.
On Saturday, September 13, 2025, teams came together in the morning to enjoy a complimentary breakfast, high-energy DJ set, and team warmup before taking turns hauling the plane a combined distance of 1,350 metres, showcasing incredible spirit against the stunning backdrop of the downtown skyline and Toronto Islands.
The Brantford Bruins completed the pull in the fastest time and were also the overall Haul for Hope Champions with their combined fundraising and pull time.
Haul for Hope Toronto event was proudly hosted by PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation.
QUOTES:
“Haul for Hope Toronto demonstrates the power of a community united by compassion. Every plane pulled represents the real journeys our patients take when faced with the burden of distance and cost to access medical care. Thanks to the commitment of partners like Porter, PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation, we can meet the rising demand for our services and make sure that every Canadian, no matter where they live, has a fair chance at improved health.”
– Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air.
“Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is uniquely located just minutes from the world-class hospitals, research labs, and trauma centres that define healthcare in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Its accessibility and strong connections to the regional transportation network make it an ideal gateway for patients and families travelling for care. This is also why Ornge, Ontario’s air ambulance service, has maintained a base at the airport for over 40 years. We’re proud to serve as a hub for healthcare in Ontario and to support Hope Air’s critical mission by hosting the annual Haul for Hope.”
– RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
“Haul for Hope is a remarkable way to showcase what can be achieved when airport partners and the broader Toronto community pull together, literally, for a vital cause. We are proud to support Hope Air’s mission and to ensure that patients travelling through YTZ have the connections they need to access life-saving care.”
– Jennifer Quinn, CEO, Nieuport Aviation, terminal partner at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
-30-
MEDIA
Additional photos are available. Please send all inquiries to:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing and Engagement
Hope Air
jlumsden@hopeair.ca
647-688-5634
Claire Pfeiffer
Senior Manager, Communications PortsToronto
cpfeiffer@portstoronto.com
437-341-9420
BACKGROUND
About Hope Air and Haul for Hope
Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing free travel, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation for Canadians in financial need who must access medical care far from home. Since its founding in 1986, Hope Air has provided more than 235,000 travel arrangements for patients across more than 640 communities nationwide.
This year, Haul for Hope expanded into a six-city national series, with WestJet and Porter Airlines as Presenting Sponsors. Porter played a leading role in Eastern Canada, acting as host partner in both Toronto and St. John’s. Hope Air experienced record-breaking demand in 2024 with 13,721 patient flights across the country, 1,512 of those travelled through YTZ, making it the second most frequently used airport in the country for Hope Air’s services. In 2025 demand for flights is projected to rise another 7%, meaning that the need for community support has never been greater.
For more information visit www.hopeair.ca/haul.
The event brought together 18 teams to pull a 67,000-lb Porter Airlines aircraft across the airport tarmac – a powerful symbol of the challenging journeys faced by the patients and families Hope Air serves each year.
“Every dollar raised today helps remove the barrier of distance from medical care,” said Mark Rubinstein CEO, Hope Air. “We’re incredibly proud of the strength, spirit, and generosity shown by our teams, sponsors and volunteers.”
Haul for Hope is a national event series that’s been building momentum each year to raise money for those in need of medical assistance, meeting the growing need for Hope Air’s travel support services.
On Saturday, September 13, 2025, teams came together in the morning to enjoy a complimentary breakfast, high-energy DJ set, and team warmup before taking turns hauling the plane a combined distance of 1,350 metres, showcasing incredible spirit against the stunning backdrop of the downtown skyline and Toronto Islands.
The Brantford Bruins completed the pull in the fastest time and were also the overall Haul for Hope Champions with their combined fundraising and pull time.
Haul for Hope Toronto event was proudly hosted by PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation.
QUOTES:
“Haul for Hope Toronto demonstrates the power of a community united by compassion. Every plane pulled represents the real journeys our patients take when faced with the burden of distance and cost to access medical care. Thanks to the commitment of partners like Porter, PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation, we can meet the rising demand for our services and make sure that every Canadian, no matter where they live, has a fair chance at improved health.”
– Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air.
“Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is uniquely located just minutes from the world-class hospitals, research labs, and trauma centres that define healthcare in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Its accessibility and strong connections to the regional transportation network make it an ideal gateway for patients and families travelling for care. This is also why Ornge, Ontario’s air ambulance service, has maintained a base at the airport for over 40 years. We’re proud to serve as a hub for healthcare in Ontario and to support Hope Air’s critical mission by hosting the annual Haul for Hope.”
– RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
“Haul for Hope is a remarkable way to showcase what can be achieved when airport partners and the broader Toronto community pull together, literally, for a vital cause. We are proud to support Hope Air’s mission and to ensure that patients travelling through YTZ have the connections they need to access life-saving care.”
– Jennifer Quinn, CEO, Nieuport Aviation, terminal partner at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
-30-
MEDIA
Additional photos are available. Please send all inquiries to:
Jodi Lumsden
Director, Marketing and Engagement
Hope Air
jlumsden@hopeair.ca
647-688-5634
Claire Pfeiffer
Senior Manager, Communications PortsToronto
cpfeiffer@portstoronto.com
437-341-9420
BACKGROUND
About Hope Air and Haul for Hope
Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing free travel, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation for Canadians in financial need who must access medical care far from home. Since its founding in 1986, Hope Air has provided more than 235,000 travel arrangements for patients across more than 640 communities nationwide.
This year, Haul for Hope expanded into a six-city national series, with WestJet and Porter Airlines as Presenting Sponsors. Porter played a leading role in Eastern Canada, acting as host partner in both Toronto and St. John’s. Hope Air experienced record-breaking demand in 2024 with 13,721 patient flights across the country, 1,512 of those travelled through YTZ, making it the second most frequently used airport in the country for Hope Air’s services. In 2025 demand for flights is projected to rise another 7%, meaning that the need for community support has never been greater.
For more information visit www.hopeair.ca/haul.