Date published: 25 July 2025
A team of dedicated fundraisers are gearing up to take on a sky-high charity challenge – pulling a 35-tonne Boeing 737 plane across the runway at Bournemouth airport.
Organised by leading housing provider Stonewater, the group of 20 brave participants will attempt to pull the 35,000kg passenger jet a full 50 metres across the tarmac on 25 August.
The mammoth effort is to raise awareness and money for Dorset Mind, a local mental health charity that has been providing support to adults and young people across the county for more than 75 years.
The team will be made up of colleagues from Stonewater’s retrofit installer Ecosafe and maintenance contractor Fortem, as well as members of staff from Dorset Mind.
Stonewater’s Retrofit Project Manager Helen Dexter and Tabitha Feltham from Ecosafe will be volunteering on the day to support the team.
Helen Dexter, who organised the event, said: “Taking part in the plane pull is a fun and unusual way to get the teams together to support a vital local cause. Mental health services are under immense strain across the UK, so any funds we raise will go towards helping Dorset Mind to provide vital services across the community.
“At Stonewater, we work every day to improve people’s homes and lives, so this challenge reflects the values and goals we share as a team. Supporting people’s mental health is an essential part of developing strong communities, as well as developing safe and secure homes for local people”.
Linda O’Sullivan, CEO of Dorset Mind said: “We are incredibly grateful to Stonewater UK for their fantastic fundraising efforts. This plane pull isn't just an impressive feat of strength; it's a powerful statement of support for mental health in Dorset. Every pound raised will directly help us continue providing crucial mental health services across Dorset."
With demand for mental health services continuing to rise, every donation will help Dorset Mind reach more people and continue delivering life-changing support. The charity offers a wide range of services including counselling, one-to-one mentoring, mental health triage in GP surgeries, wellbeing groups and education programmes.
Stonewater owns and manages over 1,400 homes across Dorset and has developments in Dorchester, Wareham, and Weymouth.
To donate to Stonewater’s teams’ efforts, visit the team’s JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/plane-pull-ecosafe-stonewater