Thousands raised in charity aeroplane tug

TEAMS from an air traffic control company helped to raise more than Â£6,500 for a charity that offers disabled and profoundly ill people an experience of a lifetime by helping them to learn to fly an aeroplane.

By The Newsroom

Published 9th Aug 2016, 05:55 BST

Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:11 BST

On Saturday, July 30, the groups from NATS, Prospect ATCOs’ Branch – the union representing UK air traffic controllers – and charity Aerobility pulled a Cherokee 6 aircraft along the taxiway at Blackbushe Airport.

The money raised went to Aerobility. The winner was the air traffic controllers team from Swanwick, who pulled the aircraft in an impressive 33.29 seconds.

Paul Winstanley, Prospect ATCOs’ Branch chairman at NATS and trustee at Aerobility, said: ‘It was a fun day out for everyone, raising money for an extremely worthwhile cause. I’m delighted we were able to raise the money to help support peoples’ dreams of flying come true.’

Chief executive of Aerobility, Mike Miller-Smith said: ‘The atmosphere was incredible as the crowd cheered each team as they pulled the aircraft along. And what a fantastic fundraising result!’

To donate go to mydonate.bt.com/events/bigpull