STARS Air Ambulance has received a generous gift from the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation.

On Friday, Dec. 1 a $50,000 cheque was presented to STARS, as part of the $100,000 the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation will be giving to first responders this year.

Lori Fyke, Director of the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation made the presentation to STARS, who was represented by Andrea Robertson, STARS President & CEO, and former STARS patient, Hugh Watson.

Watson says after he was involved in an ATV accident north of Calgary in 2009, STARS was the difference between life and death.

"I had busted four ribs, my sternum, which then severed my esophogus, broke my left collar bone, my left shoulder blade, my left wrist, put out my right hip, fractured my skull, and knocked my skull off of my spine," he explains. "I was left in the ICU with a one per cent chance of living, and a zero per cent chance of walking again, and I credit STARS for allowing me to be walking here and talking today."

He shares knowing the $50,000 donation will help save another life means everything to him.

"It means there will be somebody else in a situation similar to mine, or completely different, and they'll have a chance at survival. When it comes to the difference between life and death and time is on your side, STARS is the answer."

The Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation was created to formalize the giving that Spruce Meadows has participated in since 1975, providing the opportunity for fans and supporters to contribute through 50/50 sales and other promotions. It also provides an avenue for corporate and individual donations.

Andrea Robertson, President and CEO of STARS says $50,000 is a huge deal for the organization.

"We rely on our partners and friends for 80 per cent of our funding so this kind of donation, $50,000, goes a long way for us. When you look up in the sky and see us flying overhead you know that the Leg Up Foundation and Spruce Meadows helped put us there."

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