Tractors make long trek to raise money for Crumlin

“SOME men play golf, we like to play with tractors.” This is how Carlow to Cork Vintage Club member Jimmy Doyle describes his reasoning for choosing driving and tending to his Massey Ferguson 35 vintage tractor as a hobby.

The club was set up 15 years ago and is preparing to hold it’s 14th Carlow to Cork vintage tractor run at the start of next month. In its 15year lifespan the group, consisting of about 50 members, has raised €300,000 for Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.

“Crumlin Hospital is very close to our hearts and is important to so many people in Ireland. There are a lot of sick kids out there and we’re doing our bit to help,” says Jimmy.

“Every year on the June Bank Holiday weekend we begin our journey to raise funds for Crumlin. Over the course of two days we hit the road in our vintage tractors, which are 60-70 years old.”

The money is targeted at Crumlin’s Medical and Research Foundation (CMRF). Jimmy says all you have to do is take a tour around the hospital to understand why they set off on the annual journey from Carlow to Cork.

He adds that he is always overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit of Irish people along the route each year.

“With Irish people there’s a tendency to want to help. With commitment and a few good people behind you, you can make a big difference to the lives of sick children,” he says. “It’s amazing how people are willing to throw some money our way during the event. It really shows how helping sick children is a cause close to everyone’s heart.”

In 2016, the group did an All-Ireland tractor run for CMRF, and they have a spectacular plan to go global in 2019.

“We have an extremely good plan in place for 2019 that we’re going to work through in our meetings this year. Believe it or not we’re going to bring 30 tractors from Carlow in Germany to Cork! In effect, we’re bringing the Carlow to Cork tractor run to international levels,” says Jimmy.

Back to 2018, the tractor run will take place on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2. The Bagenalstown-based group will stay over night in Dungarvan on the first evening before finishing up in Halfway, near Ballinhassig, Co Cork where Alan and Mary Barry will take care of the gang.

Jimmy adds that it’s €10 for members to enter the tractor run and that they pay for their own expenses, such as B&B and food, meaning 100pc of funds go to Crumlin.

While the event is for charity, Jimmy says that for many its the highlight of the year and that they always have buckets of fun along the way.

“Ask anybody in the group if they’re looking forward to holidays in Spain or abroad and they’ll tell you how it’s the Carlow to Cork Tractor Run that they’re most looking forward to,” he says.