A TRACTOR run, honouring the memory of Leitrim’s James Malone, has raised an amazing amount for charity.
This very special family fun day and tractor event – in memory of the local man who was known by many as ‘Wee James’ – took place in Castlewellan, to mark what would have been his 22nd birthday.
Over £22,100 was raised, all of which has been donated to NSPCC Northern Ireland, with the charity saying “many, many local children will benefit” from the Malone family’s kindness.
The popular young man, who sadly passed away last year at the age of 20, attended farm shows all over Ireland.
He was also interested in model farms, all things agricultural and above all had a real passion for tractor runs; which is what inspired his family to arrange such a special event to honour his memory.
The day was a huge success and as well as the amazing spectacle of hundreds of tractors taking to the roads, there was live music and entertainment for all the family, including face painting, auctions, raffles, hot food stalls and much more, all provided by generous supporters.
Thanking everyone who supported and helped in any way with the event, James’s sister, Lorna, said her family “has been overwhelmed by all the support” received.
“I want to give huge and heartfelt thanks to absolutely everyone who helped to make this event so special and successful – my family has been overwhelmed by all the support we received.
“We are so grateful to the people who arranged the many fun events, including the lovely music, fantastic food and also to all the businesses, and everyone else, who donated to the fabulous raffle,” she explained.
Lorna continued: “We are also indebted to the organisers of the tractor pulling event and the Dyno which were new attractions this year and proved to be very successful. And of course, we want to offer sincere thanks to all those who took part in the tractor run itself, which was such an incredible spectacle and finally, to the many people who attended the event and helped raise such an amazing sum of money for NSPPC Northern Ireland,” continued Lorna.
“It was exactly the kind of day James would have loved and it was such a fitting way to remember him.”
Speaking of the event, Susan Smith, Community Fundraising Manager at NSPCC Northern Ireland, said the charity is “beyond grateful to James’s family for the incredible donation of £22,198, which was raised at this unique event.”
Outlining how this money will be used to support the NSPCC’s vital work in Northern Ireland, Susan said it will “help to protect children and keep them safe”, and that this includes its Childline telephone service (freephone 0800 1111), which is available 24 hours a day, every day, for young people who need support and feel they have nowhere else to turn.
She continued: “Truly, it was a wonderful way to mark James’s birthday and many, many local children will benefit from the generosity of James’s family.
“This amount means that we could answer 5,608 calls to children and young people who need our help – Thank you so much to everyone who supported this event.”
