Hope Air’s annual Haul for Hope took place in the pouring rain at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Tuesday.

Despite the less-than-ideal weather, the event brought together 13 teams and over 150 participants and volunteers for a great cause and plenty of smiles.

They ended up raising $50,000 for Hope Air, helping Canadians overcome the distance between home and vital medical care.

“The support we’ve seen from the Okanagan community will translate directly into flights, accommodations and other travel support that help patients get to care,” explained Hope Air CEO Mark Rubinstein.

“We are incredibly grateful to the KF Centre for Excellence, WestJet and every team, participant and supporter who made this year’s Haul for Hope possible.”

The event challenges participating teams to move a 67,000-pound plane 100 metres, turning the meaningful fundraiser into a bit of friendly competition.

In the end it was Leavitt Machinery topping successfully defending their 2025 title, taking 23 minutes and 23 seconds to pull the plane across the tarmac.

They edged out the Okanagan College squad by less than a minute, while all 13 participating teams finished the challenge in under 35 minutes.

“Every team that stepped onto the tarmac was pulling for patients who face a much bigger challenge – the distance between home and the medical care they need,” Rubinstein added.

KF Centre for Excellence executive director Chris Lapointe said it was “pretty incredible” to see all the teams come together to haul a 67,000-pound plane.

“There’s a strong aviation community here in the Okanagan, and together we’re building something bigger than ourselves,” he noted. “We’re incredibly proud to have hosted Haul for Hope and supported the important work Hope Air does for Canadians.”

Hope Air provides free travel and accommodation to support Canadians in financial need when they need to travel to far away destinations for specialized treatment.

Since 1986, the company has provided over 275,000 travel arrangements and helped ensure that where someone lives does not hinder their ability to access essential healthcare.