Donegal Easter Monday tractor run a 'guaranteed great day out'
A tractor and vintage car run will take place in Kilmacrenan, Co. Donegal on Easter Monday, April 21, to raise vital funds for local charities.
The event is being organised by locals, Orla and Mark Neely, in aid of Little Blue Heroes and Donegal Down Syndrome, charities which the couple branded as having a "special place in [their] hearts".
Easter Monday's tractor run will be the fourth fundraising event in aid of the two charities, organised by the Neelys, who claimed to have raised over €61,000 on behalf of local charities over the last three years.
Organiser, Orla Neely, spoke to Agriland ahead of the event, outlining what the two charities mean to her.
She said: "Firstly my brother Ryan, who has Down syndrome, came to live with us two years ago after our mum passed away.
"Donegal Down Syndrome provided a great support to us as a family during this time and it can only function through funding generated by events such as this. It's an organisation set up by parents, with the aim of supporting members with Down syndrome, to enjoy full inclusion in the community.
"Little Blue Heroes is also a very special organisation, which provides support to many families in Donegal. Their mission is to provide practical and financial support to families of children who have serious illnesses in Ireland, while granting the wish of the sick children in becoming honorary gardaí.
"This not only helps empower the children, it also enables the family to create lasting memories and it helps foster positive community engagement with An Garda Síochána."
According to Neely, registration for the run costs €20 per vehicle, and will take place from 1.30pm on the day, with the run expected to start at 2:30pm "sharp".
In addition to the tractor and vintage car run, there will be a an Easter egg hunt and a raffle, which Neely has promised will consist of "some great prizes".
There is also a top prize of a €500 voucher for Donegal oil available exclusively for vehicle drivers.
Refreshments will also be provided on the day and will be included in the price of registration. Neely told Agriland that a chip van and an ice-cream van are also expected to take up shop, while live music will be provided by Gareth Kirwan.
Neely hopes to have a great turnout of supporters on the day, which she claimed will be a "guaranteed great day out for all the family".
She encourages anyone willing and able to make a donation to do so via the tractor run's dedicated fundraising platform on the GoFundMe website.
