Essex Charity Christmas Tractor Run Raises Funds for National Charities

Crawfords are a family-owned agricultural machinery dealership with a history of supporting local communities and raising money for local and national charities, was involved with a very successful fund-raising tractor run around central Essex in early December.

Route around central Essex

The Essex Charity Christmas Tractor Run was held for the first time this year, and more than 70 tractors took part. The event started at the Crawfords Writtle depot, where the tractors were blessed by the Rev Canon Janet Nicholls, before travelling a route through Ongar, Stondon Massey, Blackmore and Highwood before returning to Writtle. Despite it being a very cold evening, hundreds of people lined the route to show support, and to make donations.

The event was organised by Crawfords’ customer Liz Lyons and her family, to raise money for the Cancer Research charity and The Farming Community Network. The main sponsors were The Green Barn Farm Shop and Crawfords.

Light refreshments including hot food and candyfloss were available at the Crawfords depot, and the showroom and stores proved popular as tractor run participants and visitors used the opportunity to purchase toys and other gifts ready for Christmas.

Enjoyable and successful event

Just under £7,000 was raised by the event and the online JustGiving page will remain open to donations until after Christmas. We would love to be able to hit the £7,000 mark. Crawfords Marketing Manager, Hannah Kelsey said that everyone was delighted with the result. “It was a sociable evening, and very enjoyable – for those who took part as well as the many people who came to our yard and who lined the route to show their support. It was bitterly cold, but no-one seemed to mind.

“Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved a sizeable donation will be able to be made to these two deserving charities. It was a very successful family-friendly event, and the team is already making plans to run it again next December.”