CROWNS TO SUPPORT STARS WITH FIVE YEAR, $10 MILLION CONTRIBUTION

Saskatchewan's Crown corporations will support STARS air ambulance operations with a five-year, $10 million contribution.

The Crown Investments Corporation, SaskPower, SaskEnergy, SaskTel and SGI will each contribute $2 million toward this initiative within the five-year time frame.

"STARS is a natural fit for the Crowns to support," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Donna Harpauer said. "The government as a whole has committed to support STARS and the Crowns have crews working in rural and remote areas across the province, sometimes in hazardous conditions. We all have a stake in public safety and emergency response."

STARS, the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society, began service out of Regina on April 30, 2012, and the Saskatoon service followed on October 15.

So far, it has flown more than 140 missions in Saskatchewan.

It is a charitable, non-profit organization with funding from many sources, including donations from corporations, individuals, home lotteries, and agreements with governments.

The Ministry of Health has provided $10.5 million in this fiscal year to support STARS.

"We're extremely grateful for this support," STARS Foundation Executive Director Rod Gantefoer said. "We're still a young organization in this province and this will allow us to be there when we're needed as we continue to build our fundraising capacity."

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For more information, contact:

Randy Burton
Crown Investments Corp
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5889
Email: rburton@cicorp.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-7784

Kelly Brossart
STARS
Regina
Phone: 306-565-8000
Email: kbrossart@stars.ca