Christmas tractor run in Tullamore raises staggering amount for local cancer charity
A RECORD €40,000 was raised at the annual Tullamore Christmas Charity Tractor Run, raffle and auction on Wednesday last.
Over 500 vehicles took part in the highly successful event.
The event was officially opened on Wednesday morning in Market Square by members of Dochas, the Offaly Cancer Support Group, the charity which benefits from the run.
Speaking at an informal opening ceremony in the Old Harbour Bar, Tractor Run committee PRO, PJ Lynam praised Dochas for the professional service they provide to cancer patients and their families.
He thanked all those in attendance or helping out at the event and noted they had braved the very wet weather conditions.
Mr Lynam recalled that the tractor run was organised by a small group of people who initially had planned to hold it in Durrow but opted for Tullamore as a more central location.
Up to 2014 the event supported care services at Tullamore Hospital and raised a whopping €250,000.
From that year onwards organisers opted to support the Offaly Cancer Support Group, Dochas.
Last year the event raised a massive €25,000 for Dochas after an absence due to the Covid pandemic.
Mr Lynam said participants had travelled from all over the country to take part in the run and he paid tribute to the organising committee, the Gardai, the sponsors, Offaly County Council, the Civil Defence and all the volunteers who were helping out.
Vice-Chairman of Dochas, Dermot Murphy thanked the “exceptional” tractor run organisers for providing huge support to the charity every year.
“This funding allows us to continue to provide our range of services,” he said noting that the past number of years had been difficult for Dochas due to the Covid pandemic.
Participants departed Market Square at about 12 noon and this year a new route took them up High St, right at Kilcruttin onto the Rahan Road, left onto the Clara Road, left at Coolnahiley Cross, left at Ballykilmurray Cross and back into Tullamore.
An auction, back after an enforced absence due to Covid, took place in the Old Harbour Bar later that evening.