Bourne Tractor Run, inspired by local farmer, set to raise money for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance

A procession of tractors is set to rumble through a town centre this weekend inspired by a former farmer’s passion for the mechanical workhorses.

The Bourne Tractor Run will take place on Sunday (July 7) to raise money for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and other local charities.

Tim Sleight came up with the idea after he bought a vintage 1963 Fordson Super Dexta tractor.

His daughter Lisa, who has helped organise the event, was originally less convinced at first, but has been so encouraged by the positive reaction from Bourne that she hopes to plan a follow-up for next year.

“Dad used to be a farmer many, many years ago and the Super Dexta that he has now was the same make and model as the first tractor that he ever drove,” said Lisa, from Morton.

“He took part in a couple of tractor runs himself over the last three years and decided that he wanted to create his own.

“I did try to talk him out of it because I did realise how much was involved, but it;s booming. It’s really taken over my life, but I’ve really enjoyed doing it. So many people in Bourne want this.”

Lisa hopes for up to 75 tractors, vintage to modern day, will join, with half of that number already registered and more than £1,000 raised 10 days out from the event, with many more drivers pledged to join the run.

Many local businesses have supported the event with prizes for a raffle which will be held on the day.

Civil engineering business JJMac has agreed to host the event and offer free tea and coffee, with on-the-day registration - priced at £10 - from 8am to 9.45am.

The tractors will then chug out of its Spalding Road base at 10am before heading through Bourne and along the A15 to Morton.

The route, agreed with Lincolnshire Police and Highways, will then take them through Hanthorpe, Stainfield, Kirkby Underwood, Hawthorpe, Irnham, Swinstead, Creeton, Little Bytham, Witham-on-the-Hill, Manthorpe, and Thurlby before heading back to Bourne and JJMac.

Its progress will be updated at the Bourne Tractor Run Facebook page.

“The support from the businesses of Bourne and local villages has been phenomenal,” Lisa added.

“Bourne want more so I can’t see this being the first and only one.”

For more details on how to enter, call Tim or Lisa on 07867 740004.