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Farmers gear up for Christmas charity tractor runs

Philip Case 08 December 2023
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Farmers across the country are getting ready to light up their tractors and bring some much needed festive cheer to their communities in the run-up to Christmas.

Christmas tractor runs have become a regular event in the December fundraising calendar, raising many thousands of pounds for good causes.

This year is no different and there are dozens of events being held across the country starting from tonight (Friday 8 December).

See also: Post your festive pics of Christmas on the farm

Merseyside grower Olly Harrison is organising a festive convoy of more than 100 Christmas-decorated tractors around Liverpool this Sunday (10 December).

The UK’s biggest Claas tractor, which is 3.3m wide, has been festooned with lights and will take part in the parade.

Tractors at Media City

© Olly Harrison

Mr Harrison and his team are running the event for the fourth year and they will hoping smash the £250,000 total fundraising barrier since its inception.

There are four purposes: visiting Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to provide cheer to children who will spend Christmas in hospital; raise vital funds for the hospital’s charity; and Fans Supporting Food Banks; and offer a spectacle for people living in Liverpool city centre who never get the opportunity to see tractors.

Mr Harrison has set up a JustGiving page for people to make donations.

“If you can afford to donate some funds, that’s great. But if you can’t, it’s a free event and it gets you into the Christmas spirit,” he said. “It’s always good to think about those who are less fortunate than you.

“Alder Hey Hospital needs vital funds for children who will sadly spend Christmas in hospital. Food banks are everywhere – please try and support your local one.”

Warwickshire double date

In Warwickshire, the Sheepy Ploughing and Hedgecutting Association is staging a Christmas Charity Tractor for the fifth year running – this year across two nights (Friday 8 December and Saturday 9 December) with two different routes.

Charles Goadby, a dairy and arable farmer from Nuneaton, has been organising the event and he will driving one of more than 50 tractors decked out in Christmas lights for both runs.

This year’s event hopes to raise £10,000, with proceeds to be split between three charities – Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and Len’s Light, a campaign in memory of young farmer Len Eadon which raises valuable funds for farming mental health charities. Donate here.

Welshpool biggie

The Rea Valley Tractors team are gearing up for their illuminated tractor run on Sunday 10 December.

Around 225 illuminated tractors will meet up at Welshpool Livestock Market in the morning, where the public will be invited for great photo opportunities with the farmers and their tractors.

There will also be lots of local trade stalls, live music and a vintage tractor display.

From 5pm, the lit-up tractors will then embark on a 30.2-mile run through Welshpool and surrounding villages to raise money for charity.

Archers tractor run

In south Leicestershire, about 300 farm vehicles are expected to take part in the annual Archers Festive Tractor Run, starting in Lutterworth at around 4.15pm on Sunday 17 December.

Organisers hope to raise more than £30,000 for charity.

Hampshire event 

For the third consecutive year, farmers Vicki and Gary Crockford are organising a Christmas Charity Tractor Run in Tadley starting at 5pm on 17 December.

This year’s charities are the Ileostomy & Internal Pouch Association, known as IA, and Simon Says, which offers help for child bereavement support.

See Facebook for a list of more tractor runs being held in your area.

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