TEAMS of fundraisers took on the challenge against a Boeing 737 at the fifth annual Dorset Plane Pull at Bournemouth Airport on Monday.

The 27 teams, each made up of at least 20 participants, competed against each other to pull the 35,000kg aircraft for 50m in the fastest time, hoping to beat the record of 25.9 seconds set by the reigning champions, insurance firm Castlecover.

In the process they were raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the Christchurch Macmillan Centre, the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation, Julia’s House Hospice and DEBRA, as well as new recipients The Amelia Grace Rainbow Fund, Diverse Abilities Plus, Lewis Manning Hospice and Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Among the teams were staff from Sunseeker, taking part for the fourth year running, who set a time of 30.6 seconds.

“When we first started we had a job to get enough people together for a team, but now there’s a waiting list,” said team organiser Paul Skerman.

“It is always good fun, although it is hard work to get the plane moving. We just want to raise as much as possible for the John Thornton Foundation. And beat Castlecover.”

The event was hosted by European Skybus, which donated the aircraft, and included live music from local band The Alibi, games and activities for youngsters and, most importantly, a bar.

Since 2009 the event, which was stewarded by youngsters from the 130 and 2358 Squadron Air Cadets, has raised more than £30,000 for charity.

Co-organiser Peter Feltham said: “The event is getting bigger and better every year, and we would like to get still more teams pulling through the day.

“We get a good mix of teams, we have had nurses, pole dancers, the Bournemouth Bobcats. The only team we have had so far who has failed to pull the plane was a guy who tried on his own. It was a good effort, if he had got it moving he would have done it.

“I think we are the only event like this in the country because it is so hard to organise, and we couldn’t do it without all the generous donations we receive.”