A festive tractor run will return to Orkney next month after being a huge success last year.
The Orkney Christmas Tractor Run will take place around Kirkwall on Thursday December 29.
What started as an idea mentioned in a Facebook comment quickly grew into a successful event which raised more than £50,000 for charity in its first year.
Farmer Graham Nicholson said: “I’d been watching videos on YouTube for a tractor run in Liverpool and thought it’d be cool if someone up in Orkney would do it. So, I posted in a local farmers’ group and Steven ended up messaging me offering to help.
“We organised it in just two weeks from saying we were going to do it to when it actually happened, right over Christmas as well. It was just the perfect storm, I think we stepped in at the right time.
“We’re bringing it back to spread some Christmas cheer and for the farmers to say thank you for the support throughout the year. When we all turn out, we can make a difference.”
Amazing public response
Around 150 tractors and agricultural vehicles – donned with lights and decorations – took part in the inaugural run, spreading festive cheer around a 14-mile loop of the town.
This year’s run will follow much of the same route and the organisers, working with the Orkney Agricultural Society, hope to see even more tractors getting involved.
Thousands of people are also expected to line the streets to show their support following the success of the debut event.
Fellow farmer and organiser Steven Sinclair said: “We said on the night when we finished last year that we would definitely do it again. And, we raised so much money, were were overwhelmed, we couldn’t just stop there.
“Every few weeks people would ask if we were doing the tractor run again – it was followed far wider than we expected. It touched so many folk.
“We’re hoping everybody who took part last year comes back and I’m feeling confident that we can get more tractors.”
Supporting Orkney charities
A JustGiving page will be launched next month with all the money raised from the festive run to benefit charities Orkney Blide Trust and the Orkney Heart Support Group.
Mr Sinclair added: “We never expected to make so much money so anything more would be fantastic. The Orkney Blide trust deals with mental health issues on the island which is very much needed.
“Mental health is so prevalent within the farming industry and more widespread than we may realise. So, we want to give them a boost and make a difference in the Orkney community.”
Tractors are invited to meet at the auction mart by 5pm on December 29. Anyone who wants to take part in the Orkney Christmas Tractor Run 2022 can find more information on the Facebook group here.
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