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WATCH: Teams compete to pull a Boeing 747 in Dubai

Dubai - Individuals attending the event were offered the opportunity to sponsor cataract eye surgeries by buying donation coupons worth Dh40 per surgery.

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Employees of Dubai Airports and its partners participated in an airplane pulling contest as part of 'Your Sight, Our Happiness' initiative to raise funds for Orbis, an NGO which works to prevent and treat blindness around the world through training and education, and its flying eye hospital - the world's only accredited ophthalmic training hospital aboard a MD-11 aircraft. 
A total of 10 teams from across the airport community tested their collective might as they competed to pull a 747 National Air Cargo plane the furthest distance. The teams also contributed Dh1,000 each as donation to Orbis via Red Crescent. 
"The plane pulling contest was the highlight event of the day and what it demonstrated was that when people that are passionate about a cause come together, they can achieve the seemingly impossible. It was very heartening to see the entire airport community getting together to support a noble cause and help raise awareness and funds for an organisation that spreads joy and wellbeing to communities in remote corners of the world," said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. 

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Florence Branchu, Head of Partnerships, Middle East for Orbis said, "We are thrilled that Dubai Airports chose Orbis to benefit from this year's event. The aviation sector is a firm supporter of the sight-saving work of Orbis and our Flying Eye Hospital, and with the next generation 'hospital with wings' launching this year, this support is as gratefully received as ever," she added. 
To raise awareness about daily challenges faced by those with visual impairments, sporting contests such as basketball, foosball and bowling were organised with participants playing blindfolded. 
Apart from the contest, the event also hosted a special charity luncheon sponsored by Emirates Flight Catering where corporate entities could donate by purchasing tables for Dh10,000 each. Individuals attending the event were offered the opportunity to sponsor cataract eye surgeries by buying donation coupons worth Dh40 per surgery. 
The event was organised at the Dubai Airshow venue at DWC under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates airline and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group.