Manitoba escape artist delights spectators at charity gala

Dean Gunnarson, escape artist, at Delta Winnipeg May 9, 2015.

Gala spectators fled the mundane Saturday and escaped to exhilarating entertainment for a good cause.

Variety, the children's charity of Manitoba, hosted a "come one, come all" gala at Delta Winnipeg Saturday night.

The daring Dean Gunnarson from Onanole, Manitoba helped people escape to the circus as he performed a death-defying escape act of his own.

Gunnarson has won several international awards by breaking out of lock and chain.

"I knew it was going to be difficult for me, I knew it was going to be challenging. But I mean that's what variety does. Variety never says no a challenge, they never say no to difficulties, and they make things happen, and that's been my motto all my life,” said Gunnarson.

The sold out gala also featured circus entertainment and midway games.

Variety provides funds for equipment so that children of all abilities can run, walk, and play sports.

So far, Variety Manitoba has raised more than $30 million for 800,000 children.