Tractor run raises thousands for charity

More than 200 tractors turned out near Dromara on Friday night of last week for the Ivan McMurray charity tractor run.
Members of the McMurray family including, Mrs Valarie McMurray, wife  of the Late Ivan McMurray, together with grandsons Harvey and Max and Oscar, sons Steven and Paul and daughter in-law Diane, organised a Tractor Run and Barbeque at their Family home at Blackbog Road outside Kinallen, in aid of Friends of the Cancer Centre. © Photo: Gary Gardiner.Members of the McMurray family including, Mrs Valarie McMurray, wife  of the Late Ivan McMurray, together with grandsons Harvey and Max and Oscar, sons Steven and Paul and daughter in-law Diane, organised a Tractor Run and Barbeque at their Family home at Blackbog Road outside Kinallen, in aid of Friends of the Cancer Centre. © Photo: Gary Gardiner.
Members of the McMurray family including, Mrs Valarie McMurray, wife of the Late Ivan McMurray, together with grandsons Harvey and Max and Oscar, sons Steven and Paul and daughter in-law Diane, organised a Tractor Run and Barbeque at their Family home at Blackbog Road outside Kinallen, in aid of Friends of the Cancer Centre. © Photo: Gary Gardiner.

The event, which had been organised by Paul and Steven McMurray as a charity fundraiser in memory of their father, Ivan, proved extremely popular with 232 tractors completing the route from Drumlough, around Kinallen before going to the Black Bog Road for a barbecue.

Such was the interest in the event that the tractors were late hitting the road as drivers kept arriving.

Paul explained: “We decided to organise the tractor run to raise money for Friends of the Cancer Centre after my father, Ivan, died in November last year.

“We were delighted with the turnout of tractors - all makes and models, both vintage and modern.

“It was a very good evening, although sometimes if the weather’s good there’s work to be done in the fields, so it was great to get such good support.”

Paul revealed that a total of £5,100 had been raised for the charity but stopped short of committing to organising a repeat event next year just yet.

“This was a one-off event, but who knows, we may feel brave and try again another time,” he said with a laugh.

“We would just like to thank everyone for their support - we really appreciated it.”