Twenty teams took on the unusual challenge of hauling a 67,000-pound (30,390 kg) WestJet Airlines aircraft 100 metres across the tarmac at Calgary International Airport (YYC) to raise money for charity Hope Air. The organisation supports Canadians who need to travel long distances to access vital medical care, providing free flights, airport ground transportation and accommodation.
Haul for Hope
Haul for Hope is Hope Air’s national plane-pull challenge with six event sites across Canada. The initiative encourages members of the public and workers from Canadian companies to participate and compete against each other to raise awareness and vital funds. So far this year, 1,141 participants have taken part and the charity’s overall fundraising target is set at $575,000 (£306,130).
The third annual Calgary event on Sept. 23 this year, also marked both Hope Air’s 40th anniversary of connecting patients to care and airline WestJet’s 30th anniversary.
A record-breaking $140,000 (around £74,536) was raised at this event to support Hope Air’s mission, to enable patients and their caregivers to overcome geographical barriers to healthcare.
‘Incredibly moving’
Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer from Hope Air, said on the day:
“WestJet and YYC didn’t simply help us put on an event–they brought a community together around patients who may be facing some of the most difficult days of their lives. Every person who pulled that aircraft, donated or volunteered today helped give someone the ability to get on a flight, reach an appointment to receive the vital medical care they’ve travelled so far for.”
These thoughts were echoed by Diederik Pen, President of WestJet Airlines and Chief Operating Officer of WestJet Group, who expressed feeling “incredibly proud of the overwhelming support” for the event.
In the UK, there is only one similar type of event called the ‘Dorset Plane Pull’ where teams of 20 people attempt to pull a 35,000-kg Boeing 737 aircraft for over 20 different charities at Bournemouth International Airport (BOH).
WestJet operates more than 600 daily flights, and with connectivity through airline partners, serves more than 275 destinations. The airline has been in contract negotiations with its cabin crew since January of this year, which, after a breakdown in talks, led to an industrial strike on Aug. 2. However, a new collective agreement was recently accepted, averting further disruptive strike action.
Have you ever tried to ‘pull a plane’? Let us know in the comments below.
