Gaskells are delighted to have taken part in an event at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which really put the ‘fun’ into fundraising!

As the airport’s preferred waste management provider, we were invited, along with a number of other local companies and employees at the Airport, to take part in a plane pull, to raise much needed money for Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

The challenge – get a team together and see how far they can pull a plane, in 60 seconds.

Gaskells assembled a team of 13, including our drivers, transport office staff, sales team and support staff, to rise to the challenge!

It was only when we got there, we saw the enormity of the challenge.. this was a huge Boeing 737 from Blue Air, which weighed almost 40 tonnes. Gaskells were up against Matalan, Santander, Peel, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, Morgan Sindall, Sovini, Swissport, South Liverpool Homes, The Land Trust and the Airport itself.

Team Gaskells were first up, tasked with getting the plane moving, after a short warm up with the elves. Here’s the film to prove we did it.

We’re absolutely delighted to say we came second overall, managing to pulled the plane for over 45 metres, beaten by Team Matalan, who managed 49 metres.

Immediate reaction from Gaskells Sales Manager Gary Wheeler (when he could catch his breath) “My legs are like jelly, I didn’t think it would be that hard, but now, I can say I pulled a plane! And it’s all for a great cause”.

Commercial Director at Gaskells, Denise Banks also said “We have a great working partnership with Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and are proud to support their chosen charity, as the work Liverpool Alder Hey Children’s Hospital does really is invaluable. We’d like to say thank you for asking us to be involved, and well done to everyone who took part.We can’t wait until the next one!”

Organised by employees at the Airport, the challenge has so far raised approximately £2,500.00 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and will be added to over £80,000 raised by Airport employees over the past 12 months for the charity.

Carol Dutton, HR & Community Director for LJLA commented, “This has been an amazing effort by everyone involved and a big thank you goes to all the companies who gave up time to take part in this unique challenge.This is one of the highlights of our fundraising calendar with more much needed funds going to Alder Hey.”

You CAN still donate. all you need to do is TEXT LJLA £3 to 70070