Mike takes to the road – 20 times a day – to help hospice
77-YEAR-OLD SETS HIMSELF CHARITY CHALLENGE IN VINTAGE TRACTOR
A HULL pensioner is driving a vintage tractor up and down the road 20 times a day every day this week for a very special reason.
Mike Abram, 77, will drive his 1954 Fordson Major tractor up and down Littlefair Road in Hull, from his business Spear Services, 20 times each day this week.
Bad weather won’t stop him from completing the challenge and raising money for Dove House hospice.
“I think Dove House is something close to his heart because he’s known a lot of people who have used Dove House,” said Mike’s daughter, Julia Glover.
Mike and other members of his family have fundraised before for the hospice and he has had the idea of a tractor-themed challenge for a while.
Julia said: “He’s wanted to do this, or something like this, to raise funds for Dove House hospice for some time.
“It’s down the road where his business is, so basically he’s just got to go up and down the road on his tractor.
“Obviously, it’s a really old tractor, he’s had it nearly all his life.
“He’s sent out letters out to everyone, he’s generated quite a lot of interest and sponsorship and donations already.”
Mike says on a fundraiser page: “Hopefully, I will (health permitting) manage to complete 20 runs each day throughout the week.
“I am determined to undertake this to raise funds for the hospice here in Hull.
“I have been intending to do this for months, thinking I would get better in health, but I am not going to.
“So while I still can, with all your assistance in various forms, and [sons] Mark and Matthew lifting me on and off the tractor, it’s on, come what weather or pain I endure.”
Companies located on the road where Mike is carrying out his challenge could be forgiven for not relishing the prospect of a slow tractor driving along the road much of the week.
But, they have instead been very supportive of his charity efforts. Mike’s son, Mark, who works at the family’s business, said: “A lot of the companies down the street where we are have sponsored him and they’re looking forward to it. “One company, Malcolm West Forklifts, had donated £1,000 to the fundraiser.
“So I think up to now, he’s got up to about £2,000 already.”
Dove House hospice is based in Chamberlain Road, east Hull, and provides specialist care to Hull and East Yorkshire adults with lifelimiting illnesses, such as cancer. It was also used as a temporary hospital during the first pandemic lockdown.
You can donate to Mike Abram’s fundraiser in aid of Dove House hospice at www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/mike-abram
While I still can, with all your assistance in various forms ... it’s on, come what weather or pain I endure Mike Abram