Charity tractor run fundraising drive reaches new heights

Over £26,000 has been raised for two charities — with the total still going up — thanks to Orkney’s farming community who have gone the extra mile to bring some festive cheer.

The Christmas tractor run captured the imagination of both those taking part and the swathes of spectators who lined the streets of Kirkwall last night.

It is believed that 158 vehicles — all draped in Christmas lights and illuminating the night sky — took part in the festive display, following a route in and around Kirkwall.

Smaller unofficial tractor runs then took place in other areas such as Stromness and St Margaret’s Hope as tractors returned home.

The money raised from the run is being donated to CLAN and the MS Therapy Centre in Kirkwall — and so far, the generosity of the Orkney public and beyond has smashed the original £4,000 target, raising more than six times that amount.

Donations continue to pour into the event’s JustGiving page but just after 9am on Thursday morning, the total stood at £26,017. That is rising fast as folk show their support and appreciation for the run.

Together with overt £5,000 in Gift Aid, the final total raised so far is more than £30,000.

The success of the run has been mind-boggling, quickly evolving from just a single comment on Facebook and culminating in the festive extravaganza on Wednesday evening.