By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle

The skies over Oliver and Osoyoos will be filled with “hope” on Friday morning as up to ten floatplanes will be descending on Osoyoos Lake and the Watermark Beach Resort along with Oliver Airport for a steak dinner in the evening.

The aircraft are part of Hope Air’s “Give Hope Wings” fundraising event organized by expedition pilot Don Bradshaw. 

The day will start off with a display of floatplanes which will touch down on Osoyoos Lake at 11 a.m. on Friday June 21, offering a unique experience for spectators. This “Splash-In” is a key highlight of the Give Hope Wings event, bringing together pilots and aviation fans for a morning of airborne excitement.

Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing free travel, accommodations, meals and ground transportation for Canadians in financial need who must access medical care far from home. 

Following the morning’s activities, participants will gather for a BBQ at Oliver Airport’s Oliver Flying Club at 5 p.m. “providing a relaxed and friendly environment for participants to unwind and share their experiences from the day,” the organizations said.

Since its inception in 1986, Hope Air has provided more than 165,000 travel arrangements for patients regardless of age or medical need. For people living on a low income in small and rural communities, distance and cost are very real barriers to them accessing vital medical care. 

“Hope Air is a unique and essential part of our Canadian healthcare system. Without the access Hope Air provides, our national system of universal healthcare coverage would fall short of its promise,” the organization says.

Give Hope Wings is Hope Air’s annual fundraising campaign that combines pilots’ love of aviation with the mission of helping patients in need across Canada get access to vital medical care. Through events and fundraising activities, Give Hope Wings raises money and awareness by bringing together aviation enthusiasts and the community in a shared effort to give back.

For more information, visit hopeair.ca.

Events – Friday, June 21
Morning Event Details: Splash-In on Osoyoos Lake –  Watermark Beach Resort, 11 a.m.
Evening Event Details: Steak BBQ Fundraiser (open to public) – Oliver Airport, 5 p.m., $25/plate