North Bay teams pull a plane for local charities

Teams of 10 were at North Bay’s Jack Garland Airport on Friday morning for the annual United Way of North East Ontario Plane Pull.

A total of 28 teams took turns trying to pull the 30,000 pound plane 100 feet across the finish line in the best time for a great cause and bragging rights.

Before the event had begun organizers told CTV News that more than $20,000 had been raised for local charities supported by the United Way including Amelia Rising, United for Literacy, and the Keeping Seniors Warm and Ready for School programs.

“We are all struggling,” said Tamika Daniels, the community engagement coordinator for United Way Nipissing.

“I feel like when we come together and we pull on that plane together, I mean, when you pull that thing, you pull for someone's future, you feel you pull for your city, you pull for your community.”

Daniels said many of the teams trained very hard and they heard a lot of smack talk this year so competitors are coming for the trophy.

“We kind of looked up a little bit of strategy. Like shorter people are closer to the plane, taller people far away,” said Matthew Grenier, one of the participants on Team Nasittuq.

“You know, you start with your back or you're facing the plane and then kind of turn when you get going.”

Organizers also added a team spirit award this year.

The event started in 2017 and paused for two years due to the pandemic.

The event is ‘pulled together’ through a partnership between the United Way North East Ontario, Voyageur Aviation which supplied the plane, the Jack Garland Airport and 22 Wing/CFB North Bay.