Pictured (L-R) are Jim Burton, Chair of Hope Air, Bob Simms, IGA Director, Doug Keller-Hobson, Executive Director of Hope Air, and Paul Canning, IGA Administrator.

On Wednesday, September 28th, IGA Director Bob Simms and IGA Administrator Paul Canning attended the first ever Ham, Eggs and Hope Breakfast, put off by Hope Air, held at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s.

Hope Air is the only registered, national charity that provides free flights to people who cannot afford the cost of an airline ticket to get to medical expertise or specialized medical technologies that usually exist only in larger urban centres.

This year, the IGA granted Hope Air $13,000, to enable them to continue to provide free flights to residents of the IGA region who require medical support, are in financial need, and must travel to specialized health care only available outside the IGA service area.

So far under this grant, a total of 25 flights have been provided from St. Anthony to St. John’s for residents who need to access medical care not available in the area.