Final push to raise funds for STARS’ fleet renewal before Pegasus Project car is auctioned in U.S.

SASKATOON, SK, Jan. 21, 2022 – The exciting finale of the Pegasus Project will soon be here, with one of the project’s celebrity ambassadors issuing a final challenge, urging the community to show its support.

The unique, multi-year initiative to raise funds for STARS’ fleet renewal campaign will culminate on Friday, Jan. 28 with the sale of the project’s custom-built 1968 Ford Mustang 427 Fastback as a featured charity car at the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

To help bring fundraising efforts over the finish line, Pegasus Project ambassador and former Humboldt Bronco Kaleb Dahlgren announced today on social media that he will donate the full proceeds of his No. 1 national best-selling book, Crossroads, to STARS. Dahlgren challenged the public to match his contribution over the next week to raise more than $100,000 combined for the air ambulance service.

“I have a lofty goal, but I think we can make it happen,” said Dahlgren. “The whole intent of Crossroads was for it to help others, and I can confidently say that my donation along with yours will assist in helping save people’s lives for years to come.”

The boost by the former SJHL hockey player is especially fitting, given the roots of the project, which began in 2019.

“The Humboldt Broncos incident inspired us, and the stories of so many others whose lives have been saved by STARS propelled us forward to this exciting conclusion with absolute enthusiasm,” said Pegasus Project co-chair Vaughn Wyant.

Community-led fundraiser “exceptionally gratifying”

The locally built, one-of-a-kind Pegasus car was officially revealed to the Saskatchewan public in June 2021 at an event in Humboldt, kicking off a months-long road show, hosted by more than 30 Prairie Ford Dealers across Saskatchewan to raise funds and awareness for STARS and local first responders.

In November 2021, the Mustang was unveiled to the world by Saskatoon-born TV, stage and film actor and Pegasus Project ambassador Kim Coates at the popular Ford display stage during the high-profile international SEMA Convention automotive industry tradeshow in Las Vegas.

“The Pegasus Project has been an interesting journey, and it’s been exceptionally gratifying to work with our dedicated team, all of whom care tremendously about both the life-saving work of STARS and the people of Saskatchewan,” said Wyant.

Fleet renewal important for STARS’ sustainability

In 2018, STARS unveiled its ambitious Keep the Fight in Flight capital campaign to renew its fleet of BK117 and AW139 aircraft with new, medically equipped Airbus H145 helicopters, at a cost of CAD $13 million each.

Thanks to government, community and corporate support, the non-profit organization began taking delivery of the state-of-the-art H145 helicopters in 2019. STARS has already flown hundreds of missions in Saskatchewan with the new aircraft type.

With just over $3 million left to raise, the charity hopes to wrap up its landmark fundraising campaign in the next few months and will see the remainder of the new fleet enter service across Western Canada through 2022.

“What an incredible ride this has been! Thanks to the business leaders behind the Pegasus Project for their vision and to Kaleb for his incredible generosity,” said Andrea Robertson, STARS president and CEO.

“We look forward to an exciting final week of fundraising ending with the sale of this amazing car, knowing that the community’s support of the project will enable us to fight for the lives of patients across our province for decades to come.”

The public can donate to Kaleb’s challenge in support of the Pegasus Project and STARS’ fleet renewal efforts at: support.stars.ca/MatchingCrossroadsBookProceeds

The auction of the Pegasus car, lot #3003, at can be viewed live at approx. 3 p.m. CST, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, on History Channel TV. More info on the Barrett-Jackson website.

A media release will be issued on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, with an update on the sale of the Mustang, as well as an overall fundraising total for the Pegasus Project.

For inquiries, interviews (in Canada or from Arizona auction), video or photos, contact:

Mark Oddan, STARS | mediainfo@stars.ca | 306-565-8000

Learn more about the Pegasus Project at PEGASUSPROJECT.CA

Learn more about STARS’ Keep the Fight in Flight fleet renewal campaign at fightinflight.ca

ABOUT STARS

Simply put, STARS fights for life. Since we embarked on our first mission in 1985, we’ve been driven by the goal of providing people the vital care they need when they need it the most. Whether it’s offering hands-on training to rural medical providers or providing rapid, emergency medical transportation for the critically ill and injured, we operate 24/7 from bases in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg, anticipating and acting when people need our help. Learn more at STARS.CA.

ABOUT THE PEGASUS PROJECT

The Pegasus Project was announced in 2019 by a group of automotive enthusiasts who care deeply about the people of Saskatchewan and about the critical work of first responders like STARS. The project centres on a completely custom-built, one-of-a-kind, 1968 Ford Mustang 427 Fastback that was featured at the International SEMA Convention in Las Vegas, November 2021. The car will now be sold at the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona in January 2022, with proceeds to STARS’ Keep the Fight in Flight capital campaign to renew its fleet of aging helicopters. The project’s name “Pegasus” was derived from three important elements: WINGS (helicopter), HORSE (Mustang), and, of course, STARS (both constellation and the air ambulance). Learn more at PEGASUSPROJECT.CA