Volunteers pull together to raise an incredible £6,900 for local families in need

Incredible volunteers from across Dorset came together to take on the epic Dorset Plane Pull challenge over the August Bank Holiday and raise vital funds to support Home-Start Wessex’s life-changing work with local families.

The charity was overwhelmed by the support it received this year, fielding not one but three teams to pull a Boeing 737 at Dorset Plane Pull, the UK’s only charity event of its kind. The dedicated volunteers not only took on a phenomenal physical challenge but also raised £6,900 in the process.

Home-Start Wessex offers friendship, practical support and emotional advice to parents in Dorset with at least one child under 5 when they are in crisis, providing specialist groups and one-to-one home visits.

Dorset Plane Pull is the country’s most unique fundraising event. Teams of 20 people determined to do good enter to pull a Boeing 737 weighing in at 35,000 Kg a distance of 50 metres. Since its founding in 2009, the event has raised over £400,000 for charities.

This year, staff and gym members at Snap Fitness in Winton, members of East Christchurch Sports and Social Club and Christchurch RFC and other local people stepped up to raise money to support Home-Start Wessex’s life-changing work across Dorset.

“It was fantastic to see three Home-Start Wessex teams, the Home-Start Heroes, the Runway Ruckers and The Winton Way, take on the Plane Pull this year. Huge congratulations to the Runway Ruckers who powered their way to an incredible 3rd place!” said Darren Lewis, Community Fundraising & Events Officer at Home-Start Wessex.

“What I loved most was seeing the friendly competitiveness between the gym teams and the rugby club come together for something much bigger than winning. Everyone pulled together to support one great cause – helping local families in crisis across Dorset.

Thank you to every team, supporter and sponsor who made the day such a success.”

Over the last year, Home-Start Wessex has transformed 1,716 lives, helping a record 526 families. Their reach covers the Purbecks, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, the whole of the BCP Council area, including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, across the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire, going as far north as Cranborne and Fordingbridge and as far east as New Milton – a huge area with a population of over 650,000, including many pockets of high-level deprivation.

The charity is actively recruiting kind, compassionate volunteers to offer emotional and practical support to parents with young children across Dorset. No experience is needed – just a big heart and a listening ear, as full training and ongoing support are provided.