This July will see a vintage Ford 4600 travel non-stop from Mizen Head in West Cork to Malin Head in North Donegal with a team of volunteers and mechanics on a unique fund raising mission.  The 620km road trip has been organised by a group of men from Crossdoney and Stradone, Co Cavan in aid of two local and very deserving charities; Cavan and Monaghan Cancer Homecare/Palliative Care.

The Cancer Tractor Run was the brainchild of Michael O’Reilly whose sister passed away earlier this year in St Christopher’s Hospice Cavan. Together with Joe Ebbit of Crossdoney Tractor Sales, they came up with the novel idea of the non-stop tractor run across the country using the vintage Ford 4600.
In order to promote the businesses and individuals who support the cause, the vintage tractor will be towing a custom made wagon which will display the logos and names of the sponsors and supporters. Amatino Partners Accountants & Business Advisors based in Cavan and Monaghan are the main sponsor of the run and according to Geoff Foster from Amatino Partners, “We are delighted to sponsor such a worthy and deserving cause. We all know someone in our family or community who has been touched by Cancer and these services offer both cancer patients and their families support and care when they need it most.”

According to Michael O’Reilly, “The run will be an endurance test for the team. When the Ford 4600 was built there was no cab which means the drivers will be exposed to changeable weather conditions throughout the journey but it will all be worth it to support the fantastic work of the chosen charities.”

The custom made wagon with serve another important purpose on the tractor run as it will house the relay of drivers and the journey’s fuel supply as drivers will have to change over and refuel while the tractor is still moving. The team of organisers have customised the wagon so that this can be carried out safely while on the move.  The vintage tractor and wagon will be accompanied on its journey by local vintage and motorbike enthusiasts who will collect donations on the journey.

The Cancer Tractor Run journey will take two days, leaving Mizen Head in Cork on Saturday the 22nd of July and will complete its journey on the Sunday the 23rd of July. The run will pass through town such as Mallow, Limerick, Athlone, Granard, Ballinagh, Cavan, Monaghan, Omagh, Letterkenny and many more towns along its way. The Cancer Tractor Run Facebook page will update followers on the progress and route plans.
All donations to this worthy cause would be gratefully received and can be sent to: The Cancer Tractor Run, c/o Crossdoney Tractor Sales, Crossdoney , Co Cavan or lodged to account 104 92 400, sort code 98 54 50 in the Ulster Bank, Main St, Cavan. Any enquiries to Michael O Reilly 085 1741923.
Picture: (left to right) James Lord, Committee; Gene O'Reilly, Chairman; Joe Ebbitt of Crossdoney Tractors, Committee.