Airspan Helicopters added their fleet Wednesday night to the mix of combustion engines that have been involved in weekly salutes to health-care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four helicopters flew by Sechelt Hospital at about 7 p.m. They were joined by first-responder vehicles, which lapped the hospital in what has become a Sunshine Coast tradition.
Since the first Wednesday in April, first-responder vehicles, motorcycles and collector cars have taken turns giving regular salutes to essential-service workers with laps around the hospital. According to Sechelt Hospital Foundation executive director Jane Macdonald, the April 15 salute was “one of the biggest ones we’ve had so far, with BC Hydro, Capilano Highways, RCMP, fire departments, ambulances and search and rescue vehicles joining the appreciation tour.“We’re not expecting anything but we’re so grateful for those shows of support,” Macdonald said.
Wednesday night, in response, hospital staff on site showed up to the parade with signs reciprocating their thanks. “I’m pretty sure helicopter pilots couldn’t have read the signs from a distance,” joked Macdonald, adding, “We’re feeling so much support and seeing the best of our community come forward.”
Vehicles also saluted other essential-service workers at the nearby Tsain-ko shopping centre and by visiting long-term care facilities.
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