Tractor challenges pull in cash for charities

Young farmers from across the north and north-east of Scotland have taken part in various tractor challenges to raise funds for charity.

First up, a group of 40 members from all three Young Farmers clubs in Orkney took part in a tractor pull from Stromness to Kirkwall.

It took the group five hours to pull the Fordson Dexta Tractor along the 15-mile journey.

A group of 13 pulled the tractor at any given time, with 10 pulling at the front and three pushing at the back.

In total the Orkney youngsters raised more than £2,000 for two charities – rural hardship charity RSABI and local mental health charity the Orkney Blide Trust.

Meanwhile, the north region of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs (SAYFC) took part in a vintage tractor relay to raise funds for charities.

The four-day drive included five vintage tractors each taking part in a seciton of the route from Laurencekirk to Kirkwall – travelling more than 300 miles in total.

SAYFC north region chairwoman Kim Taylor said: “A huge part of SAYFC is engaging with the local community and this is why we decided to hold the tractor run from Laurencekirk to Kirkwall, raising money for Cash for Kids and Are Ewe Ok, SAYFC’s metal health campaign, whilst raising the profile of Young Farmers in the north.

“The run itself was very successful. The weather mostly held out for us and thankfully there were no breakdowns.

So far more than £1,000 has been raised.”

Further donations can be made online at www.mydonate.bt.com/events/northtractorrun.

Young farmers in Orkney during the tractor pull.