Runners and walkers in the Waterloo Region recently took over the runway at Waterloo International Airport to help raise funds for lifesaving medical flights worldwide.

The event helps raise funds to support flights providing medical care and supplies to people living in the most remote communities across the world.

Runners and walkers participated with a goal of funding about 20 medical flights that help connect people in remote communities with critical care. The event offered a unique opportunity for participants to come together to stay active while helping bring important health-care services to people with limited access to medical care.

This was the second annual Runway Run/Walk organized by the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), offering the community a chance to run on an airport runway while raising money for lifesaving medical flights. The event was held in partnership with Run Waterloo and surpassed its original goal of raising $12,000, raising over $16,000.

The funds will help support about 25 medical evacuation flights, which can cost anywhere between $600 and $1,000 each. MAF operates aircraft in cut-off communities in some of the most remote parts of the world, where roads can be difficult or impossible to travel. It helps people access critical medical care when they need it most.

Source: Hannah Schmidt, CTV News