An annual Co. Armagh Tractor Run has surpassed £1 million raised for local charities over the course of its 12 year lifespan.
The Livingstone Christmas Tractor Run is a staple in the orchard county’s community calendar and has grown massively since its inception, with over 750 tractors attending in recent years.
Equally huge also, are its fundraising efforts, with the organisers revealing this weekend that the run has to-date raised £1,039,053 for local charities!
The most recent rendition was held back on December 30 and raised funds for Air Ambulance NI, the Southern Area Hospice and the NI Children’s Hospice.
The run took place from Armagh Business Park and had 695 tractors, as well as a few thousand spectators in Armagh and along the route.
This year, the event raised an incredible £147,427 for the three designated charities.
The run was started in 2012 by the Livingstone family in order to give something back to the Southern Area Hospice for the care they provided to Marina Livingstone in the final weeks of her life.
The Livingstone family and committee members, along with Ben Sergeant, recently presented the proceeds to each of the charities: £49,142 to Jenny and Jim Irwin for the NI Children’s Hospice, £49,142 to Myrtle and Neville Pogue for the Southern Area Hospice and £49,142 to Liz and James McCarragher for the Air Ambulance.
Speaking after the presentation, the Livingstone family said: “We are pleased to be able to present the fantastic amount of £49,142 to each of the three charities today. We are delighted to be able to continue to support the charities.
“We owe particular thanks to those behind the Tractor Run, the unsung heroes, including the many friends and supporters who help with the organising and do so many things to ensure the tractor run is a success, without you all, it would not be possible – thank you.”
In pictures: 84 fantastic photos as Livingstone Tractor Run returns for 11th year in Armagh
