La Broquerie Fire Chief Alain Nadeau will board a helicopter at 8:30 Friday morning to head for an unknown island where he and seven others will spend the day. He is taking part in the STARS Rescue on the Island to raise money for the air ambulance service. The objective is to reach the fundraising goal in order to get a flight back at the end of the day. Nadeau says he has been gathering pledges for the past three months.

"As the representative from the southeast, I've been going around the whole southeast trying to raise $50,000 to get off the island and it was a very successful campaign."

In fact, Nadeau has already raised $62,000 and is within a few thousand dollars of setting a new record for the amount raised by one person at the event. He will participate in some challenges on the island for a chance to up his total.

"There are some stunts and exercises we do and the winner can earn some extra money to put into our campaigns. These are being sponsored by different companies so, even on the island, I'll be working to make more money. And, if anybody has not given to STARS yet, please go online. It will be your last chance to do so."

Nadeau says he has had such a great response, the STARS website has had a challenge finding space for the names of all the donors, something they are working hard to rectify. He appreciates the tremendous response and says, while he doesn't like asking people for money, it has been a great experience. Nadeau notes that over 30% of the STARS missions each year are in southeastern Manitoba and people are well aware of the tremendous service it provides in helping to save lives.