250 tractors decked in Christmas lights to roll through Offaly for great cause

There will be festive cheer in abundance around Offaly on December 6 as 250 tractors and trucks decked in Christmas lights roll through the county for a local charity.

The Edenderry Light Up Run is now in its eighth year and will raise money in 2025 for Laois Offaly Families For Autism (LOFFA), a parent-run volunteer support group for families of children and young adults with an autism diagnosis.

The event has grown each year after making its start back in 2018 and has always raised money for sick children in the locality. In its seven previous years, the Edenderry Light Up Run has raised more than €50,000 for local causes, and this year is no different.

The run will be bigger and better than ever having welcomed over 240 vehicles last year. This year's run takes place on Saturday, December 6, from 6pm and people are encouraged to gather on the town along the planned route.

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The parade of tractors and trucks will begin at the Edenderry Business Campus at Monasteroris, travel along the new Inner Relief Road to Tesco and then all the way through the centre of the town. From there, the parade will head towards Daingean, before visiting Croghan and Rhode where people can also catch a glimpse of the festive convoy.

The Edenderry Light Up Run committee are also busy preparing to welcome thousands of people to the Edenderry GAA grounds just a few days later on December 10 as the famous Santa Truck rolls into town. 

It will be the first time the Santa Truck has visited Edenderry on his travels around the country and will see kids able meet Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves, and visit Santa's grotto which is in the trailer.

There’s no entry charge for parents but donations are welcomed with all proceeds going directly to the Laura Lynn Foundation.

"Let’s fill the evening with sparkle, smiles, and support for a wonderful cause," the committee said.

A Santa Truck Ireland statement read: "We wish to extend our huge thanks to everyone involved in this magical event. Santa Truck has raised €205,670 for LauraLynn since 2021, and the team hopes to raise even more this year! It’s a huge undertaking by these wonderful volunteers to decide to travel to so many locations, in a bid to raise as much as they can for the children and families in LauraLynn."