Over €100,000 has been raised for Crumlin’s children’s hospital this year through two tractor runs and a raffle to win a Massey Ferguson 135.

Carlow to Cork Tractor Club will present the cheque to the CMRF Crumlin’s hospital on Saturday, before announcing the winner of the Massey Ferguson. In total, the club has raised €390,000 for the hospital in memory of a local child.

Earlier this year, the Carlow to Cork club did a special event where the run was from a place called Carlow in Germany. The tractors arrived in the German town and began the long drive to Cork city in Ireland.

Warm welcome

“We couldn’t believe the welcome we got,” said Brendan Byrne, one of the club's representatives. “Nothing went wrong and they even sang ‘Follow me up to Carlow’ to us in German,” he said.

This is the 15th year the Carlow to Cork Tractor Club has committed to raising funds for sick children.

“Crumlin Hospital is very close to our hearts and is important to so many people in Ireland. There are a lot of sick kids out there and we’re doing our bit to help.

"The Carlow to Cork Tractor Club has about 70 members and every year on the June bank holiday weekend, we begin our journey to raise funds for CMRF Crumlin. Over the course of two days, we hit the road in our vintage tractors, which are 60 to 70 years old.

Expenses

“As a rule, from the first year that we did the run to Cork, we donate all funds raised to the hospital, our club members pay all their own expenses on all trips, no exceptions. We pride ourselves on this. At the end of every year, our bank balance is zero,” added Byrne.

"Our motto at the moment is 'we will support the hospital until the very last child leaves it'," he said.

CMRF Crumlin Hospital liaison officer Gerry Cully said: "Thanks to our many donors and supporters from the Carlow to Cork tractor run."

The club has enabled a number of services of support to the hospital, including the completion and opening of a cardiac day care unit.

The Carlow to Cork Tractor Club will present the cheque to a hospital representative on Saturday 16 November.

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