An appeal for donations to help the beneficiaries of this year’s Livingstone Tractor Run – which has sadly been cancelled once more due to Covid-19 – has so far raised over £1,100.
This would have been the 10th year of the big post-Christmas outing in Armagh.
But organisers made the “very difficult decision” to call it off in the interests of public health and safety.
Instead, they are asking for donations via JustGiving for the Southern Area Hospice, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and NI Air Ambulance.
It was to have taken place on Tuesday, December 28, and, as always, organisers had hoped for a huge turnout.
Last year, because the big event could not go ahead, a virtual tractor run was organised due to Covid-19 and raised over £140,000.
This was to have been a very special occasion for the Livingstone Tractor Run, being the 10th anniversary of the first year of the popular event.
In announcing the cancellation, the organisers said: “Unfortunately due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19 which is spreading through our community, we have had to take the very difficult decision to postpone the 10th anniversary run until next Christmas.
“We have taken this decision in order to protect all those who participate, spectate, volunteer on the day. We realise this will be extremely disappointing to so many but hope that everyone appreciates that for us the safety of the supporters and volunteers is of the utmost importance.
“While the tractor run brings great enjoyment to all who attend, the main aim is to raise money for three worthy charities – the Southern Area Hospice, the Children’s Hospice and Northern Ireland Air Ambulance.
“As fundraising events have been greatly reduced over the past two years, these charities need our support more than ever.
“So while the tractor run is postponed, we still want to raise as much money as possible.
“I would like to thank all those already who have supported the run this year by placing an ad in our booklet. The booklet has been printed and will be widely distributed as far as possible.
“We want to thank most sincerely our principal sponsor, Mr Ben Sargent, who despite the event not taking place has once again astounded us with his generosity to each of the three charities.
“If you would like to make a donation to the work of these charities, you can do so by clicking on the link to our JustGiving page.
“Raffle tickets are still available and can be purchased from any member of our organising committee. The draw will take place on Saturday, January 29, 2022, and the winners will be announced on the same day on our Facebook page.
“Please, please do everything you can to help us raise as much money so the services provided by these charities can continue.
“In closing we want to thank all those down through the past 10 years who have given so much in so many ways to the tractor run and we look forward to better days when once again we all can enjoy the sights and sounds and friendship the tractor run brings.”
If anyone would like to contribute please click on the following link and follow the instructions given: https://www.justgiving.com/team/LivingstoneTractorRun
