For patients living on Manitoulin Island, accessing specialized medical care often means travelling far from home. In these moments, regional airports serve as critical links between patients and the healthcare they need, helping connect communities to services that may only be available hundreds of kilometres away.

As Hope Air celebrates 40 years of service, we are proud to recognize the important role regional airports play in bridging the distance between home and hospital. Among them, Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport stands out as a remarkable example of community commitment and patient support. Serving residents across Manitoulin Island, the airport helps connect patients to medical appointments and treatments that are unavailable in their local communities.

At the heart of this support is Airport Manager Robby Colwell. A passionate advocate for residents, Robby has become a valued partner for Hope Air and the patients we serve. His commitment extends well beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of managing an airport. He regularly helps connect patients with Hope Air services, coordinates with inbound volunteer pilots, and ensures travelers have the information and support they need throughout their journey.

In 2025, 14 Hope Air flights travelled through Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport. Each of those flights represents a patient or family facing the challenges of medical travel and for many of these travelers, Robby’s personal investment in ensuring a successful journey for these patients makes the trip less stressful and more manageable during an already difficult time.

While Robby is certainly one-of-a-kind in terms of his service to patients and others in the airport community, his pasion for connecting residents to care and services is emblematic of the vital role that regional airports play in serving their communities across the country. By helping patients navigate medical travel and foster connections within the community, Robby and his peers help ensure that distance is never a barrier to care.

As Hope Air marks four decades of helping Canadians access essential medical care, we are proud to recognize Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport and Robby Colwell for their commitment to supporting patients on Manitoulin Island by recognizing them as Hope Air Patrons, the highest distinction awarded by our charity. Their dedication reflects the compassion, generosity, and community spirit that make Hope Air’s mission possible.