On Sunday afternoon, the collective effort of 555 people moved an airplane a distance of 560 metres, raising more than $100,000 in the process, during the second annual UPS/United Way Pulling for U Plane Pull.
37 teams, each consisting of 15 people, pulled a UPS Airbus A300 aircraft 50 metres. The team with the fastest recorded time, the Van Houtte Grinders, accomplished the feat in 20.86 seconds.
United Way of Calgary President and CEO, Lucy Miller, says this year’s event exceeded all fundraising expectations.
"We've asked the many local superheroes who emerged during the flood not to put their masks and capes away just yet. Clearly they're up to the challenge," says Miller. "Not only did Calgarians come together and repeat last year's success, they exceeded it by far. When we all pull together for our city, we become superheroes."
This year’s Pulling for U Plane Pull raised more than three times the amount raised during the 2012 event.
The Plane Pull was held at the UPS facility near the Calgary International Airport. The generous support of sponsors UPS, Quadrus Development, and Altalink, covered the cost of the event, ensuring all of the money raised will go to the United Way of Calgary.
