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ALS Ontario Plane Pull Presented by Bombardier
View video filmed and edited by volunteer Kirk Best
Global News coverage of 2011 ALS Ontario Plane Pull
Click here to view pictures provided by Bombardier from the 2011 ALS Ontario Plane Pull
ONE PLANE. ONE ROPE. ONE GREAT CAUSE.
Hundreds came out to pull a plane for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in May 2011. Now ALS Ontario is inviting Ontarians out again to pull together and pull a plane to make a difference for people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The second annual ALS Ontario Plane Pull presented by Bombardier will take place on Sunday, May 27, 2012 on the grounds of Bombardier Aerospace’s testing facility at Downsview Airport in Toronto.
Last year, the ALS Ontario Plane Pull brought in close to $50,000 to help with ALS Ontario’s equipment program where items from commodes to wheelchairs are loaned to those living with ALS.
At the ALS Ontario Plane Pull, teams of ten people representing various corporate and community organizations competed to pull a Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft the furthest distance within one minute. The event was emceed by Judy Croon, comedienne and broadcaster, and Brendan Dunlop, of the Score’s The Footy Show. Of the group of teams at the ALS Ontario Plane Pull, two teams consisted of firefighters: the Markham Firefighters and the Toronto Professional Firefighters. ALS has a higher incidence rate amongst firefighters, military and athletes.
First and Second Places Go To Firefighters
The Toronto Professional Firefighters came in first place, winning the ALS Ontario Plane Pull trophy, as well as medals and prizes for the full team, by pulling the plane the full distance of 258 feet in 32 seconds.
The Markham Firefighters, who organized a Truck Pull on Friday May 13th to help raise awareness, placed second after pulling the plane the full distance in 35 seconds.
“It’s a great opportunity to spend a Sunday contributing to something very worthwhile,” said Mike Ogle, Executive Officer Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association and member of their pulling team. “ALS is a vicious disease that many Ontarians are unaware of. Hopefully that’s something the plane pull will draw attention to, in addition to raising funds for an organization completely reliant on donations to help those living with the disease.”
ALS progressively paralyzes those living with the fatal neuromuscular disease. Due to loss of mobility, ALS Ontario strives to provide equipment and support programs to families in Ontario living with this financially, emotionally and physically devastating disease.
“It is great to see the community mobilized to raise awareness of ALS,” said Steven Kerr, a former auto mechanic and manager who was diagnosed with ALS. “ALS Ontario helped lighten the financial burden of this disease by providing assistive equipment like my hospital bed and lift, and by connecting me to different support services.”
Mr. Kerr had to quit his job when his ability to move and speak became increasingly restricted and left him to face the full costs of the disease without work-related income. Average equipment and care costs for ALS can total $145,000 per person over the two to five years normally lived after diagnosis, and are not covered by government funding or private insurance. For families living with the disease, spouses commonly quit their jobs to provide around the clock care, especially in the later stages of the disease. With both incomes lost, the high costs force many into poverty. ALS Ontario does not receive funding from the provincial government.
ALS Ontario thanks the sponsors of this inaugural event: Bombardier and the Marketing Store as presenting sponsors, platinum sponsor Tenaquip, gold sponsor CGI Inc., and Eurest Dining Services, a division of Compass Group Canada. Thanks to PNR Railworks for donating the 52” HD TV, one of the grand prizes in the raffle at the ALS Ontario Plane Pull.
(Left) Toronto Professional Firefighters pulled the plane the full distance (258 ft) in 32 seconds, beating the Markham Firefighters (centre) who pulled the full distance in 35 seconds. Right, ALS Ontario Plane Pull participants warm up.
About ALS Ontario
ALS Ontario is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the necessary equipment and support services to those living with ALS, a fatal and paralyzing neuromuscular disease.
About The Marketing Store
The Marketing Store specializes in creating and sustaining high-value customer relationships for clients such as Nissan, McDonald’s, Diageo and Transitions. TMS offers integrated, end-to-end marketing expertise including CRM program development and execution, direct marketing, strategic consulting, customer insight, data management and analytics, events, creative, studio and interactive services.
About Bombardier
Bombardier Aerospace, a group of Bombardier Inc. and the world's third largest civil aircraft manufacturer, is one of Ontario's largest employers with almost 4,000 highly skilled employees working at its 1.7 million sq. ft. facility in Toronto. The facility produces the Q400 NextGen turboprop, Global business jets and wings for the legendary Learjet 45 business aircraft. Together, these products constitute some of the most important Canadian exports to the worldwide market. A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada.
Bombardier, Global, Learjet, NextGen and Q400 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.