The Livingstone Tractor Run on Boxing Day has broken all records raising the fantastic sum of £121,860 for two local cancer charities.
Wesley Livingstone along with his sons David, Stanley, Randal, Cedric and Clarence presented the proceeded £60,930 to Jenny and Jim Irwin for the Children’s Hospice and £60,930 to Myrtle and Neville Pogue for the Southern Area Hospice.
The Livingstone Christmas Tractor Run took place in December with a record number of 712 tractors attending. The Tractor Run organised by the Livingstone family from Armagh is in its fifth year received a special boost with the support of Ben Sergeant of Ben Sergeant Tractors in Portadown donating a very generous donation per tractor that attended, bringing the total donation to £90,000 including Gift Aid to the event from Ben alone.
Tractors, their owners and admirers eagerly queued up to register and take part in the event. There was a fantastic display of tractors on display with many arriving from early morning to the Armagh Business Park (ABP). Hundreds of tractors were on display as they parked up to enjoy some refreshments before the tractor run departed.
The sea of tractors departed from ABP and made their way to Hamiltonsbawn, Richhill and Armagh before returning to the start for a BBQ, refreshments, entertainment, auction and raffle. With collections taking part in all towns, thanks to all who helped collect in the towns, not forgetting the many marshalls under the direction of Francie and Barry Lappin and Peadar McGahan.
The event was well supported by many volunteers, eager to help with the organising, selling tickets, registering tractors, cooking, serving food and refreshments. The event would not be a success without the many helpers who assisted the Livingstone family – a massive thank you to the many who volunteered to help.
The Livingstone Family said: “This has been an incredible year for our Family Tractor run, with the added bonus of the support from Ben Sergeant.” The continued: “We broke all records with the number of tractors and amount raised for both charities. The event receives great support from the many volunteers and helpers who attend meetings, steward, collect, cook and help us in so many ways not just on the day, but at the many meetings in events – we thank them for their continued support.”
Finally, the family would like to thank the local companies who provided sponsorship or donations towards the events, to numerous to mentions.
The Tractor Run DVD is now available for those who may want to purchase, priced at £10. It can be purchased in by contacting any of the Livingstone family directly, through the official Facebook page WaLivingstoneSons
