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Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
The Staffordshire countryside saw 100 festively decorated tractors take to the road in a charity Christmas Tractor Run on Sunday 4th December 2022.
Arranged by Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs and South Staffs Water, this was the third time a cavalcade of tractors travelled the 20-mile route through the villages of Blithbury, Hamstall Ridware, Hill Ridware, Colton, Admaston, over Blithfield Reservoir and into Abbots Bromley in aid of charity.
The event saw an array of decorations and lights as local farmers created features which included Santa heading down the chimney and a spinning Christmas Tree, putting a smile of the faces of many spectators of all ages who lined the streets to watch.
Donations received so far total £5,700, which will be split between two worthy charities: Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs and Midlands Air Ambulance. The starting point, Longacre Farm, kindly hosted by CH Froggatt and Son, provided the perfect venue to park all 100 tractors before they took to the roads. Longacre Farms are a Woodsure Approved supplier of wood chippings and kiln dried logs, as well as offering a wide range of other services such as tree shearing, cattle bedding, drying facilities and Carp sales. Hosts David and Sian Froggatt kindly judged the “Best Decorated Tractor” on return to the farm, which was awarded to Nicki Hand-Pugh for the Best Vintage Tractor and Andrew Brown of Pie Shak for the Best Modern Tractor.
The event was generously sponsored many local companies including Malcolm Harrison Auctions Ltd, B & B Tractors, EJC Contracting and South Staffs Water.
Nina Yiannoukos-Benton, senior catchment advisor at South Staffs Water, said: “Yet another fantastic year for the Christmas Tractor Run with our largest turn out of tractors and what a spectacle they were! We saw some amazing decorations and a wonderful turn out from our supporters and businesses in the local villages too. Big thank you to all involved and to all who donated for the two charities, Staffordshire YFC and Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.”
Julia Taylor, county organiser at Staffordshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, said: “I’m so pleased we could bring some festive cheer to the local community again this year. This event is a privilege to organise working with an 80 strong team of volunteer stewards behind the scenes to keep everything running so smoothly. Staffordshire YFC is very grateful to the many sponsors of the event and the crowds this year were so generous with their donations and support.”
Hannah Justice, Staffordshire fundraising executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity said: “On behalf of all crew and staff at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, we really appreciate the support from local groups based within the communities we serve, just like Staffordshire Young Farmers Club, who kindly donated £2,850 from its Christmas Tractor Run. The money received will help make eight critical car missions possible.”
A gofundme page has been set up for anyone wishing to make a donation.