A Tractor Run Triumph
A record number of tractors raised a record amount for Katharine House Hospice
On Thursday 19th December a staggering one hundred and six festively decorated tractors took to the local roads to spread some festive cheer in a bid to raise money for the Katharine House Hospice. For the fourth year running, the fairy-lit convoy travelled just over fifteen miles through South Newington, Milcombe, Bloxham, Milton, Adderbury, Deddington, Hempton and Barford St Michael.
The local farming community really pulled out all the stops to help make this year’s run the largest to date with some travelling from as far away as Stoneleigh to take part. Within the fleet was the lucky winner of our passenger seat auction; Charlie Barrett, who got to take part in the convoy on board Baker’s 4220 JCB Fastrac. The winning seat fetched £127 on the eBay auction site which Charlie’s father, Carl Barrett, generously topped up the winning total to £200.
Despite the rain, local villagers once again took to the streets in droves, braving the weather to line the route in a bid to catch a glimpse and cheer on the Christmas convoy as they passed by. This year the generosity from the public was outstanding and the event raised a jaw dropping £10,420.42 with money still coming in via our JustGiving page. Local John Deere dealership Farol Ltd also very generously donated a cheque for £1,000 which was presented on the evening by their Area Sales Manager Geoff Thompson. Refreshments of mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies provided by Banbury Co-Operative Funeralcare helped raise just under £400 whilst a raffle also organised by RC Baker with prizes supplied by several local businesses such as Eagles Fine Foods, Firs Garage, Nellie & Dove, Nicholson Nurseries and Hook Norton Brewery to name just a few, raised just under £600. Other fundraising efforts included a hot chocolate and hot dog sale at the popular mobile coffee shop Buzzy Beans as members of the public waited at the Deddington layby for the festive fleet to appear. With sausages kindly donated by The Pig Place in Adderbury, along with a donation made by Buzzy Beans, they raised a fantastic £410.
All of these fundraising efforts now takes the total amount raised from this event over the past four years to an impressive £21,466.99. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a huge success!
The 2020 tractor run will be held on Friday 18th December – save the date!
Image courtesy of Cliff Kinch Photography