The organisers of the annual Pendleside Charity Tractor Run have raised an amazing £5,589 for two local charities - ELHT&Me, the official charity of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, and Pendleside Hospice, following a socially-distanced version of the iconic event.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Tractor Run, which sees over 100 vintage, classic and modern farm vehicles form a convoy through Higham, Fence, Barrowford, Blacko, Roughlee, Barley and Newchurch, had to be adapted to go ahead in August this year.
“The Tractor Run, in its 12th year, was too important to be postponed completely, so we made some changes to make sure it was safe to go ahead and social distancing was maintained”, Phil Sanderson, Andrew’s close friend who organised the event.
“No vehicles had passengers from different households, and we asked for online donations instead of collection tins, as there was no stopping or collecting along the route.
“Although many spectators came out the watch the run, we asked them to keep a safe social distance from each other. Even with all of these restrictions in place, we were delighted at how well-received the event was and how much the community enjoyed it.”
The funds raised by the run have been split equally between East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust’s official charity, ELHT&Me, and Pendleside Hospice.
Christina Cope from Pendleside Hospice said “All the local farmers know each other around Pendle, a caring community which likes to come together for events like this.
“The donations this year, more than ever, are very much appreciated so we can continue to give excellent care to local people who need our services. Thank you to all the tractor drivers, the organisers and the generous people who kindly donated.”
Funds donated to the hospital will be spent improving the environment and experience of patients in the Chemotherapy Unit at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, where Andrew received treatment.
“We are delighted to receive another huge donation on behalf of the Blackburn Chemotherapy Unit from the Tractor Run”, said Denise Gee, Fundraising Manager for ELHT&Me.
“It’s great that the event could go ahead safely and that these much-needed funds can be used to support future patients to receive excellent cancer care in this challenging time. Thank you to everyone who took part, we hope you enjoyed the event, and we’re so grateful for your support.”
For more information on the work of ELHT&Me, visit www.elht.nhs.uk/charity. For more information about Pendleside Hospice, visit www.pendleside.org.uk.