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Kids in Winnipeg's Children's Hospital were in for a treat on Friday afternoon with the third annual Suspended Superheroes.
Participants who have been specially trained geared up in costumes, uniforms, and safety harnesses to rappel down the side of HSC while interacting with children inside.
The annual event is planned by Winnipeg-based, Voyageur Technical which offers access and rescue solutions and consulting. Hundreds of people participated including Voyageur Technical, the Canadian Armed Forces members from the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, the RCMP Emergency Response Team, the Winnipeg Police Service Tactical Support Team, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and special superheroes in training. Altogether, over $50,000 was raised for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
"We have watched the Suspended Superheroes event grow year over year, and we’re so grateful for the impact this dedicated group makes for families in the hospital,” says Stefano Grande, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba in a release. “These superheroes are raising critical funds, while also bringing joy to children, their families, and the health care heroes who support them.”
Suspended Superheroes is not just an exciting day for the children, but for the staff at HSC too.
“The kids we care for and even our health care teams look forward to the Suspended Superheroes every year,” says Jenny Kidder, Manager of Child Life, Spiritual Health Services and Volunteer Services in a release. “We know opportunities for comfort, distraction and engagement are an important part of a child’s recovery and we welcome this innovative way to help make kids smile.”
Participants were excited to help bring a smile to the kids. “For the third year in a row we’re grateful to be gathering at the Children’s Hospital for Suspended Superheroes,” says Chris Toews, Managing Director of Voyageur Technical in a release. “This incredible day of fun and laughter with kids and caregivers at HSC Children’s is unlike anything else in the city and we’re proud and thankful to be a part of it, alongside our friends in the emergency response community.”
“As members of the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, we are honoured to participate in the Suspended Superheroes event at HSC Children’s Hospital,” says Master Corporal Maloway, Search and Rescue Technician, 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron in a release. “This initiative not only allows us to bring joy and hope to the children at the hospital but also reinforces our commitment to supporting our community. Together, we can inspire strength and resilience in the young patients, while reminding them that they are never alone in their battles.”
“As members of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, we don’t usually get to attend events that are focused on spreading joy, so we are honoured to be included in Suspended Superheroes,” says Corporal Russ Hulme, RCMP Emergency Response Team Leader in a release. “It is part of who we are as members of the RCMP to be there when the community needs us, and these children need something to make them smile. We hope we can give that to them when they see superheroes outside their windows because, to us, they are the superheroes.”
“Responders have a long history of coming together to support our community in fun and unique ways,” says Chief Christian Schmidt, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service in a release. “The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is thrilled to join fellow responders and partners for this event, helping to provide a memorable experience for kids in the hospital.”
“We feel extremely fortunate to be in a position to contribute to such an amazing event and thankful to be included,” says Sgt. Shane Cooke, Winnipeg Police Service Tactical Support Team in a release. “It is pretty amazing seeing the smiles it brings to the faces of these brave kids, their families and the incredible staff at the HSC Children’s Hospital, especially with what they fight through on a daily basis. They are the true superheroes here.”
To donate, visit goodbear.ca/suspendedsuperheroes.