Craigs Tractor Enthusiasts, an Antrim-based community group, have raised £12,700 in funding for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (NI).
Over the past three years, the Cullybackey group has organised several fundraising events, including a corn cutting day and their annual ‘Craig’s Tractor Run’, which includes over 100 tractors and attracts mass community engagement.
In addition to the tractor run, the club also organises a classic silage day event, which, in 2024, included a trade show display, with over 30 stalls in attendance, and featuring products and services from various local businesses.
Members of Craigs Tractor Enthusiasts said they work across the local area to make these events happen, collaborating with the wider farming community, local businesses, and media, all for a charity, which the club holds “close to their hearts”.
Club founder, Robert McCaughey, expressed his appreciation to everyone who contributed throughout the year and to those who helped plan and organize the events, granting “a special word of thanks” to Sam Coleman, who provided the use of his premises to host the tractor run.
The annual ploughing and corn cutting day, along with the annual November tractor run will continue into 2025, the club reported, under the club’s new name ‘Craigs Vintage Classic Club’.
Club members, Robert McCaughey and Robert Graham, have extended a wide welcome to everyone, “far and wide”, to support the future events in aid of the vital service of Air Ambulance NI.
Air Ambulance NI
Commenting on the events, area fundraising manager for Air Ambulance NI, Katrina Hughes, said: “Community events like the tractor run and silage day hosted by Craigs are so important to Air Ambulance NI.
“The enthusiasm, commitment, and hard work that goes into planning and executing these events highlights the incredible passion our local communities have for supporting the service, and without it, we would be grounded.
“We are immensely grateful for the support and want to thank Robert McCaughey and team for everything they have done, thank you for helping to save lives,” she added.
With the incident rate of farming accidents as prevalent as ever, Air Ambulance NI serves as a critical lifeline for the rural community, with the charity purporting to be capable of reaching anywhere in NI in under 25 minutes.
Air Ambulance NI operates in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide the helicopter emergency medical service for the region, operating seven days a week, 12 hours every day.
