'Our little event has made a big impact' - Bridgnorth tractor run raises record £23,000 for charity
There has never been anything like it in the three-year history of the Bridgnorth Festive Charity Tractor Run.
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The organisers say the amount raised by the run before Christmas netted nearly £23,000, with more to come.
Josh Barratt, who with Tom Wellings started the annual charity fundraiser in 2021, warned would-be donors to be aware of scam fundraising links and to only click on official links, one of which is in his name.
Mr Barratt said on social media: “We have smashed last year by a mile and this could still go up!
“We are aware of some scam links going around so please only click on links posted by myself or Mark Wellings. We only post under our name, not under the BFCTR's name. “Thank you all again so much!”
The mountain of money is a world away from the £3,500 raised in the first year and dwarfs the more than £18,000 in 2023.
The money will go to charities Hope House and MacMillan Cancer Support.
This year, around 220 tractor drivers, decked out in holly, tinsel and other Christmas decorations, met at the town's Livestock Market accompanied by high winds.
The tractors made their way through Bridgnorth, Quatt, Alveley, Shatterford, Kinver, Enville, Six Ashes and Stanmore, and were cheered on by hundreds of people who took to the streets despite the blustery weather.
Mr Barratt revealed that it had been a close decision as to whether the event would have been held at all.
A yellow weather warning was in place on the day but the decision to go ahead was a good one.
“The rain left, the wind died down and out came the sun,” Mr Barratt said on Facebook. “I cannot explain to you the relief we had when the clouds moved on.”
He added: “To see the thousands of smiling faces as we passed through was the greatest gift of all.
“In such a dull and fragmented world, it really blew me away to see how a group of farmers and truckers can just give someone that little glimmer of happiness no matter their circumstances.
“But a few lights and a big tractor can make such a difference to someone, even if it’s just for the half-hour we pass through.
“I personally have such a sense of pride knowing that in this short life, one little event organised by two old schoolmates has made such a big impact in our local community - and for that I cannot thank you all enough.”
