Recipients include a school and different charities
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
Farmers around Europe are using their tractors to raise money for a variety of good causes, including a school.
In Ireland, a father and son will travel from Mizen Head, the country’s southernmost point, to Malin Head, the country’s northernmost point, in their Valtra N101 tractor, according to Derry Now.
The nearly 400-mile journey is expected to take beef farmer Joe Molloy and his son Paul, a chef and farmer, about four days. The duo have set a goal of raising a total £10,000 (US$12,212) to be divided between Kilronan Special School and SANDS, a charity offering support to families who’ve experienced stillbirths and neonatal tragedies.
The journey will also act as a tribute to Paul’s son, Jack, who passed away in March 2014.
A fundraising page has been set up to collect donations.
Paul and Joe Molloy
Photo: Mid-Ulster Mail
Also in Ireland, the annual Michael McCarthy Charity Tractor Run, which consisting of 62 tractors traversing a 17-mile circular course in Saval, raised £1,000 (US$1,222) for PIPS Newry and Mourne, a local suicide prevention charity.
The event went off without a hitch and the organizers should be commended for their efforts, a PIPS spokesperson told the Newry Times.
The cheque presented to PIPS Newry & Mourne
Photo: Newry Times
And, in England, the Knaresborough YFC (Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs), raised more than £7,000 (US$8,552) for Yorkshire Air Ambulance during a tractor run.
The 70-tractor convoy traveled in memory of New Zealand farmer Mike Spink, who passed away earlier this year.
“We wanted to raise money for the air ambulance after our very close friend Mike had previously run (a convoy) for it,” organizer Steven Brown told FG Insight. “It is something of great importance to us here in the rural community.”
The tractor convoy
Photo: FG Insight