THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for charity by fundraisers who dragged a four-and-a-half tonne jet along a runway.

Seven teams of ten people took part in the challenge at Durham Tees Valley Airport at the weekend.

Each team pulled the 10,000lb Falcon jet 350 metres along the runway to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.

It is hoped that the venture will raise more than £5,000 for the charity, which helps wounded servicemen and women.

The idea for the jet pull came from former soldier Lee Dunn.

Mr Dunn said he wanted to raise money for Help for Heroes when he learnt his old regiment, now called 3 Rifles, was going to Afghanistan.

He said: “Help for Heroes is very close to my heart.

“I always keep my eyes on the news and the money that they make is put to some very good uses. The work they do is fantastic.

“I wanted to do something that was a bit different and that would capture the imagination to help them.

“Then one day, I saw a jet flying and I thought, ‘what about a jet pull?’ And it went from there.”

The jet was provided by Cobham Aviation, which has a base at Durham Tees Valley.

Teams came from a number of local businesses and organisations.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson started the event and a serviceman friend of Mr Dunn’s, Gary Suggett, from Ferryhill, sounded a bugle to advance as each team set off on their pull.

“There was a slight incline on the runway, so for the teams going uphill it was very hard,” said Mr Dunn, who works for Sedgefield Borough Homes.

“Pulling a 10,000lb aircraft uphill is a bit of a struggle.

“They were lying on their backs on the grass afterwards.

“My son, Oliver Dunn, is due to have an operation for a snapped cruciate ligament, but he still wanted to do it. I’m really proud of him.

“Everyone did really well.

“I’d set a target of £3,000, but I think it’s going to blow that out of the water and be closer to £5,000.”

To make a donation, go to justgiving.com/Lee-Dunn-Help4Heroes.