The annual Freemount Macra fundraising tractor run will take place this year next Sunday, April 13, setting off from Lismire GAA Hall and finishing in Tullylease with a barbecue and music.

In addition to the main tractor run, there will be a kids' tractor run on Lismire GAA pitch at 12:00p.m. There will also be a raffle with lots of prizes sponsored by local businesses.

Tractors from around the north Cork area and beyond will converge in the village of Lismire and travel through Newmarket, Kanturk, Freemount, and Tullylease.

The proceeds of this year's tractor run will be divided among two charities: A Better Life for Rí, and Bumbleance.

A Better Life for Rí helps a local family who moved to Dublin for the benefit of their son, Rí, who is living with a rare disorder called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA.)

Rí was diagnosed with the condition just a few weeks after his birth when he was rushed to hospital for a severe respiratory infection.

John O'Connell, chairperson said "A new gene therapy, Zolgensma, has given him another chance at life, although his family said he still faces 'significant medical challenges' every day.

"Currently, the young boy spends most of his time in a bedroom upstairs in Dublin as he is 'very fragile' and needs somebody to be with him at all times."

The fundraising aims to support adaption of the family's Dublin home to suit Rí, with plans to build him a fully accessible bedroom downstairs so he can be easily supervised and get to spend more time with his family. 

Bumbleance, a children's ambulance service that provides free access to healthcare anywhere in Ireland, has been chosen as the second beneficiary, as it has supported and provided services to Rí during his medical challenges. 

Freemount Macra is a community-based youth organisation, part of the Avondhu Macra region, representing young people from communities such as Ballydesmond, Boherbue, Churchtown, Liscarroll, Dromina, Freemount, Newtownshandrum, Meelin, Kilbrin, Kanturk and Rockchapel.

In the past, the club has organised numerous fundraisers and it hopes that this year turns out to be just as successful as previous events.

Registration for the run, which will start at 11.30a.m and continue until 1:00p.m, costs €20.