UofM students raise funds for STARS and Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program
A decades-old tradition rolled across Manitoba once again last weekend as University of Manitoba agriculture students pushed a hospital bed through dozens of towns to raise money for causes that support rural health and well-being.
From Sept. 26 to 28, members of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Student Council — known as the Aggies — travelled more than 200 kilometres from Winnipeg to Brandon as part of their annual Bed Push fundraiser. The 2025 edition supported two organizations with deep ties to rural Manitoba: STARS air ambulance and the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP). Together, the effort brought in more than $2,410 to be split evenly between the two groups.
For organizer Pyper Hollar, the Bed Push is far more than just a fundraiser — it’s a defining part of what it means to be an Aggie.
“To me, Bed Push means supporting those around us, helping raise money and awareness for the struggles in the ag community,” she said. “I believe it’s important to keep on with the tradition to not lose a sense of what makes us Aggies. Being an Aggie is like having a second family — and we support that family, and Bed Push shows that.”
The bed push launched early on Sept. 26 from the University of Manitoba campus in Winnipeg. Cheered on by classmates and faculty, the Aggies rolled through La Salle, Starbuck and Elm Creek before making a lunchtime stop in Carman, where residents gathered along Main Street to show their support. Afternoon stops included Roseisle and Portage la Prairie, before the group reached Carberry and Douglas by evening.
Along the way, local residents, businesses and municipal leaders greeted the students with roadside donations, food and encouragement — a tradition that has become as much a part of the event as the push itself.
“The best interactions we have are the kids,” said Hollar. “When we pass the schools, it is amazing to see them come out and see the next generations of Aggies — who maybe one day will participate in Bed Push too.”
The second day took the Aggies deeper into the Pembina Valley as they passed through a string of rural communities, including Wawanesa, Glenboro, Cypress River and Mariapolis, before reaching Pilot Mound and Manitou. The day wrapped up in Morden, where dozens of residents turned out to cheer the team into town.
“Seeing that kind of support means everything,” Hollar said. “It’s a reminder that this isn’t just a fundraiser — it’s about building connections and strengthening the bond between the university and the communities that sustain Manitoba agriculture.”
Hollar said both chosen charities hit close to home for the Aggies.
“Many of us live and work in rural communities and that’s where STARS comes to help — they focus on ‘critical care, anywhere.’ They have an incredible medical team on the air ambulance that can provide immediate medical attention on the ground or in the air,” she said.
“And Manitoba Farmer Wellness is a program that can provide counselling for farmers from farmers. Mental health is a big struggle for many and there is a stigma around it. Manitoba Farmer Wellness is trying to ensure that farmers are getting the help they need when they need it — and from someone who understands their situation.”
Day 3: Final push home
The final leg of the journey on Sept. 28 saw the Aggies visit Rosenfeld, Morris, Ste. Agathe and Niverville, where they wrapped up the three-day trek. Communities once again responded with donations, refreshments and heartfelt thanks — a show of appreciation for students willing to spend their weekend pounding pavement for a cause.
Pushing a hospital bed for three straight days is no easy task, but Hollar said it’s worth every step.
“Pushing the bed for three days is hard — I’m not gonna lie, your legs and your feet are screaming at you after just one day,” she said. “But it’s all worth it when you see the people who come out and when you meet with the charities afterward and understand just how much what we are doing is helping them in their journeys. And it helps that you’re doing it with a group of your buddies — we joke around and genuinely have a great time. Whether it’s in each town or in the RVs between towns, we know how to make some good memories.”
Though the $2,410 total was short of last year’s record-setting campaign, organizers say every dollar raised will have a direct impact on rural Manitobans. Last year, the event brought in more than $13,000 for each organization, and organizers hope to build back to that level as the tradition continues.
A tradition rooted in community
The Bed Push has been a cornerstone of the Aggies’ calendar since the 1980s, when students first pushed a bed from Winnipeg to Brandon to support the Winnipeg Fire Fighters Burn Unit. Over the years, the event has grown into one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the fall, with communities along the route eagerly awaiting the sight of the iconic burgundy bed and the students who push it.
“This event is a great reminder of how agriculture isn’t just about crops and livestock — it’s about people,” Hollar said. “When we all work together, we can make a difference.”
Donations are still being accepted online, and tax receipts are available for contributions over $20. For more information or to support the campaign, visit the Aggies’ GoFundMe page.
