Holbeach Marsh Vintage Tractors group raise money for Melanoma charity with road run in Fleet, Holbeach, Sutton Bridge, and Gedney
By Michaela Roper
More than 60 classic tractors took to the roads in rural South Holland to raise £2,334.73 for a UK skin cancer charity.
Agricultural enthusiasts and tractor owners came together to show off their machinery with pride at the seventh annual Hargreaves tractor run event, organised by Holbeach Marsh Vintage Tractors group, on Sunday.
The route, coordinated by Ronnie Waterfall, started from Fleet Road Industrial Estate, the birthplace of the event.
It then went on to stretch across roads and farming fields in Fleet, Holbeach, Gedney Drove, Lutton Marsh, and down to Sutton Bridge, then looped back to the beginning, where drivers and visitors took part in an array of fundraising activities in aid of Melanoma UK, a skin cancer charity.
Stephen Pearsall, one of the organisers, was delighted with the turnout and the money raised for their chosen charity.
He said: "There were a lot of people waving up at us.
"We had a little boy who travelled with us from Long Sutton to our half time stop, all that way on a go kart," described Mr Pearsall, who wanted to extend his praise to him for his dedication to the event. "Thanks to all the helpers from the day," he also added.
However, the commendments didn't stop with just the volunteers - "We'd like to thank Hargreaves for letting us use the land. Without them, we wouldn't have a road run." the organisers were enthusiastic to add, with local farming businesses like George Thompson of Holbeach adding to the magic of the day.
Tractor dealers G & J Peck and John Deere donated model toys for the charity raffle and auction, alongside signed merchandise from Grimsby's own engineer and motorcyclist, Guy Martin.
"We made at least £600 in the auction." said Stephen Pearsall.
The event was a success for both the Holbeach Marsh group and South Holland's agricultural community.
Participants of the tractor run were awarded with a goody bag of farming gifts, with a fridge magnet included to commemorate another well-attended event. The lucky owner of a blue Ford tractor won Hargreaves' Best Tractor Award on the day, and many of the best machines on show were snapped by the group's photographer Paul Gregory, from Mansfield.
The organisation also added: "Next year we are looking to expand with more events for the kids, like bouncy castles," to add to the Holbeach tractor run experience.
In October, the Holbeach Marsh Vintage Tractor group are holding another annual celebration of all things farming, at their working farm event, which hosts over 60 old and new industry-designed machines.
Demonstrations in ploughing, tilling, and cultivation will span over the 2 day event in the Autumn of this year.