Richmond News: 'Couldn't be more thankful': Teams pull 67,000-pound plane in Richmond, raise $120K for charity
Ever wonder how fast you could move a 30,000 kilogram vehicle with just people power?
Well twelve teams of ambitious fundraisers got the chance to challenge each other by pulling a St. John’s International Airport fire truck 75 metres during the Hope Air Haul for Hope event Friday Sep. 12, 2025.
The teams of 10 to 12 people faced off on the Torbay side of the airport by hauling the large truck with a rope attached to the front as other teams and supporters cheered them on.
Hope Air says the event is a ‘symbolic nod to the enormous obstacles many patients face accessing care’ and supports more than 600 patients and their caregivers from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador who rely on Hope Air for free flights and accommodations to reach life-saving treatment each year.
Organizers say they were on track to raise about $35,000 to support the Hope Air organization.
“We are incredibly grateful to our hosts at YVR and to all of the teams who joined us for the third annual Haul for Hope in Vancouver,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air.
“The energy, teamwork, and generosity on display will have a direct impact on patients and families who rely on Hope Air to access life-saving medical care far from home.”
Among community members at the plane-pulling event was Hope Air patient Jennifer Keys from Terrace, B.C., whose lymphoma is now in remission.
“Without Hope Air, I would have gone further into debt, trying to pay for medical flights, accommodations and travel expenses,” said Keys.
“They have lifted a huge weight off my shoulders while I battle cancer. I couldn’t be more thankful for them.”
Hope Air has partnered with YVR for 14 years to ensure patients and their families from around B.C. have access to health care, according to Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO at YVR.
“At YVR, we understand the critical importance of access to health care in building strong, resilient communities, and in a province as geographically large and diverse as British Columbia, the aviation sector plays a key role in connecting those communities with the medical care that people need.”
Last year, Hope Air completed more than 45,000 travel arrangements, with YVR handling more than 62 per cent.
The number of travel arrangements is expected to reach almost 50,000 by the end of 2025.
Well twelve teams of ambitious fundraisers got the chance to challenge each other by pulling a St. John’s International Airport fire truck 75 metres during the Hope Air Haul for Hope event Friday Sep. 12, 2025.
The teams of 10 to 12 people faced off on the Torbay side of the airport by hauling the large truck with a rope attached to the front as other teams and supporters cheered them on.
Hope Air says the event is a ‘symbolic nod to the enormous obstacles many patients face accessing care’ and supports more than 600 patients and their caregivers from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador who rely on Hope Air for free flights and accommodations to reach life-saving treatment each year.
Organizers say they were on track to raise about $35,000 to support the Hope Air organization.
“We are incredibly grateful to our hosts at YVR and to all of the teams who joined us for the third annual Haul for Hope in Vancouver,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO of Hope Air.
“The energy, teamwork, and generosity on display will have a direct impact on patients and families who rely on Hope Air to access life-saving medical care far from home.”
Among community members at the plane-pulling event was Hope Air patient Jennifer Keys from Terrace, B.C., whose lymphoma is now in remission.
“Without Hope Air, I would have gone further into debt, trying to pay for medical flights, accommodations and travel expenses,” said Keys.
“They have lifted a huge weight off my shoulders while I battle cancer. I couldn’t be more thankful for them.”
Hope Air has partnered with YVR for 14 years to ensure patients and their families from around B.C. have access to health care, according to Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO at YVR.
“At YVR, we understand the critical importance of access to health care in building strong, resilient communities, and in a province as geographically large and diverse as British Columbia, the aviation sector plays a key role in connecting those communities with the medical care that people need.”
Last year, Hope Air completed more than 45,000 travel arrangements, with YVR handling more than 62 per cent.
The number of travel arrangements is expected to reach almost 50,000 by the end of 2025.