Bailey Sutherland, Daily Herald
STARS Air Ambulance has recruited a number of Saskatchewan-born celebrities to promote their new fundraising project, “The Pegasus Project.”
Named after three important aspects, wings (helicopter), horse (Mustang) and stars (constellation of stars), the project consists of a group of automotive enthusiasts who care about the critical work of first responders like STARS. The project involves a completely custom-built, one-of-a-kind, 1968 Ford Mustang 427 coupe that will be featured at the International SEMA Convention in Las Vegas, November 2020.
SEMA is the annual, high profile, automotive industry tradeshow where the Pegasus Project Mustang will be featured at the Ford Motor Company exhibit booth. The car will be sold at the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona in January 2021. Proceeds will be going towards STARS Fleet Renewal Campaign, which will replace the fleet of helicopters in Western Canada. STARS announced the initiative in 2018.
Actor Kim Coates, as well as Saskatchewan-born NHL’ers, Brayden and Luke Schenn, Tyler Bozak, Jayden Schwartz, and a host of other NHL players/alumni will be involved with the project.
Coates said in a press release, “I love Saskatchewan, I was born here, my heart has never left here, I have family and many friends in my hometown of Saskatoon and I know the outstanding work that STARS does in this province – STARS provides critical care and saves lives every day and I believe in their work. It’s tough work. I also believe that we all need to do our part. That’s why I’m so excited to be a part of this incredibly special and cool project”.
Ford also backed a similar project for the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan in 2014. Dean Stoneley, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd, said “The Ford Mustang 427 coupe will be an exceptional addition to any car enthusiast’s collection and this is an innovative way to raise money for new helicopter equipment. The STARS air ambulance program provides a vital service to the people of Saskatchewan — we wish Vaughn Wyant and the other Pegasus Project volunteers great success with their fundraising campaign”.
Vaughn Wyant, who began the Pegasus Project, says “You can’t get more passionate about this project than the team we’ve put together. Big thanks to Kim Coates for becoming our ‘front man’, to our homegrown NHL players for their support, our lead donors and of course to STARS for their tremendous care. We all want to make a difference for our province and we hope the people of Saskatchewan will join us on this fun ride”.
STARS Air Ambulance has been providing care for people in need since 1985. They provide hands-on training to rural medical providers or providing rapid, emergency medical transportation for the critically ill and injured. “Simply put, STARS fights for life”, says Jeri-Lynn Johnston, Director of Development for the STARS Foundation.
