Tractor run gives vital support to local charities

DONATIONS totalling €26,000 were handed out to charities at the weekend on the back of the West Kerry Tractor Run that was a huge success when it roared into life for its second annual outing on December 1.

This year about 125 tractors from West Kerry and as far away as Cork took part in the event, raising €27,500 in the process. After the bare minimum of running costs was covered there was €26,000 to share out among charities and West Kerry Mental Health was the main beneficiary, recieving a donation of €12,000. A further €6,000 went to West Kerry Care of the Aged and with this money added to the €21,000 they received from last year’s tractor run as well as donations from Dingle Wrens and other fundraisers they can now buy a new mini bus to bring elderly people from around Corca Dhuibhne to the Gairdín Mhuire Centre in Dingle where they are provided with meals and enjoy the benefit of a more active social life.

The tractor run also donated €6,000 to the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA), €1,000 to Kerry Cancer Care and another €1,000 to Dingle Men’s Shed whose members helped with running the event.

The tractor run, which has now evolved into a more broad-based charity event, was initially held in 2018 to raise funds for the ILFA which helped organiser John Patrick O’Sullivan from Lios Póil when he had to undergo a life-saving lung transplant. “I wouldn’t be here today only for the tremendous support I got from them three years ago,” said John Patrick.

Photo by Declan Malone Tom Kavanagh and Joanne Devane (right) presenting a cheque for €6,000 on behalf of the West Kerry Tractor Run to Phil O’Riordan, Maria O’Mahony, Nora Curran and Mary O’Donnell of West Kerry Care of the Aged, in the Marina Inn on Saturday night.

John Griffin, Tom Slattery of Corca Dhuibhne Macra na Feirme, and Áine Ní Dhúbhda presenting a cheque for €12,000 to Annette Cremin and Máire Treasa Ní Chonchúir of West Kerry Mental Health in the Marina Inn on Saturday night. The money was part of the total of €26,000 raised for charities by the West Kerry Tractor Run held on December 1.