By Julie McLaughlin
A VERY successful tractor run was held in the Kilkeel area on Saturday in memory of a local schoolboy.
John’s Tractor and Truck Run began at the White Water lay-by at 4pm and finished at the Ballyvea Hub with a barbecue and raffle.
The event was held to remember John Doole, an 11-year-old who died in February following an accident near his home on the outskirts of Kilkeel. A popular pupil at Kilkeel Primary School, he was also a member of the youth clubs at Newry Street Unite and JIMS Youth Centre.
John’s sister Katie Killen, in association with the Mourne Vintage Club, organised the tractor run, along with a GoFundMe page, to raise money for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
‘John was the most beautiful, happiest little boy, always smiling, always laughing, and full of life,’ Katie wrote on the GoFundMe page.
‘His happiness was contagious — he could brighten even the darkest room just by being in it. He had the kindest soul, the biggest heart, and a way of making everyone feel special and loved. He wasn’t just our brother, he was our world.’
Katie said that in the midst of her family’s heartbreak over the loss of John that the family members decided they wanted to do something to help others by supporting the Air Ambulance.
“We just wanted to do something in John’s name,” she told the Mourne Observer.
“The Air Ambulance were so good to us,” Katie said. “A lot of people don’t know that it’s not government funded.
“When we needed them most, they were at the scene within just 16 minutes,” she said.
Katie said that the event on Saturday went really well.
“It was brilliant,” she said. “There was a massive, massive turnout at it.”
It is estimated that close to 300 vehicles registered to take part in John’s Tractor and Truck Run. In addition to the people on board the tractors and trucks, there were a lot of people along the roadside to cheer them on and many more waiting at the Ballyvea Hub to greet them and take part in the barbecue.
Katie said she and her family were overwhelmed by the amount of people who cared about John and wanted to show their support.
“A big thank you to everybody who has donated, all the businesses that donated prizes and everybody who helped out. There’s too many people to name,” she said.
She also wishes to thank everyone who showed up on the day and supported them in any way.
“It was just an amazing turnout and we just wanted to thank everybody for everything.”
Although the money raised at the event on Saturday through the tractor run, street collection, barbecue and raffle has not yet been totalled, more than £3,000 has already been raised for the Air Ambulance through the GoFundMe page.
A calf was anonymously donated and sold on Friday at Rathfriland Co-op cattle sale, which also raised £1,900 for the cause.
“We are so grateful,” Katie said.
Katie and the rest of John’s family also want to thank everyone who has shown them support and care this year.
“At the beginning of this year, on 3rd February, our lives changed forever when we lost our beloved John. Not a day goes by that we don’t miss him,” she said.
“Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time. It means more to our family than words can ever express.”
John’s Tractor and Truck Run was also praised by local politicians.
Cllr Michael Rice (Sinn Fein) posted on his Facebook page: ‘Fantastic turnout today at the start of the tractor run in memory of John Doole in Kilkeel. Fair play to everyone for taking part and helping raise so much for charity.’
MLA Diane Forsythe (DUP) also praised the event on her Facebook page: ‘The Kilkeel and Mourne community came out in strength today in memory of John Doole. The tractor and lorry run was a brilliant show of support for John, his family and for the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.’
For anyone who would still like to contribute to the final total, the GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com/f/air-ambulance-in-memory-of-john-doole.) will be open for donations for a few more days.
