This week Myrna Wiebe of Access Credit Union took part in the STARS Rescue On The Island.

Together with eight other participants, Wiebe was dropped off on an island near Pinawa, with the goal to raise $50,000 dollars; succeed and they would get a ride off the island.

Wiebe says working alongside STARS and being on the island was an experience beyond words.

"I can't even explain it. These people are so amazing," she says. "Not only in the job they do every day but the heart and soul they put into this organization."

While on the island Wiebe and the other participants competed in a number of survival and medical challenges.

These challenges all had individual sponsors and the winner of the challenge would have the money put towards their goal.

In total, Wiebe raised over $32,000, with all eight participants raising $310,000 to the emergency service.

STARS is a charitable non-profit helicopter air ambulance service with six bases across the country. STARS' base in Winnipeg responded to 619 emergencies in Manitoba last year.

Jason Graveline a pilot for STARS base in Winnipeg, shared the importance of a service like STARS.

STARS specializes in the rapid transportation of critical patients, STARS provides time-saving, urgent medical care,  and hope to people who require urgent medical attention.

Without the limitations of a ground ambulance, a STARS team comprised of 2 pilots, nurse, paramedic, with the assistance of a physician,  can reach patients from rural or remote locations across Manitoba.

Wiebe agrees that these services are vital to people throughout rural Manitoba.

"Unfortunately and fortunately, they've been out to rural Manitoba, our area, our homeland, and saved many, many people and touched many lives."

These services are dependent of fundraisers like STARS  Rescue On The Island to keep the service available with an estimated 700 missions by the end of this year.

Along with Wiebe, the eight participants included Jennifer Blatz, Jim Green, Bob Kozminski, Rhonda Linde, Justin Phillips, Dr. Ginette Poulin and Brad Youchim.

The 8 participants raised over $310,000 towards STARS Air Ambulance