The four vintage tractors that embarked on an epic 850 mile journey from John O'Groats have today completed their tour of the UK, arriving at Lands End. The aim of the tour has been to raise awareness of and generate funds for the Prostate Cancer Charity. During the tour, which has taken 13 days to complete, the tractors travelled through Edinburgh, Carlisle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter.
During the course of the marathon drive the team was able to raise more than £8000 for the largest of the charities working specifically in the field of prostate cancer, the Prostate Cancer Charity. A large majority of the money raised was contributed by FMB members. The South West branch raised £250, the Northern Counties region raised £300 and Solihull and Bristol branches of the FMB both raised a huge £2000 each!
The team has already had support from a number of companies, including Nissan which has donated a vehicle to be used in the run; organisations, including the Federation of Master Builders which has helped with fundraising and planning, and number of public figures including the MP for Solihull Lorely Burt and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councilor Randal Brew OBE.
The tractors that took part in the run included a 1946 David Brown Cropmaster, driven and owned by Michael Clancy; a 1958 B450 International owned and driven by Geoff Lamb; a 1957 Fordson Major owned and driven by Ian Snape and a 1957 Fordson Dexter driven by Ross King. The team was lead and supported by Pat McGeever.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
"A big well done to the tractor run team on the completion such a momentous tour of the UK and on raising such a huge amount for the Prostate Cancer Charity. The FMB has been pleased to support them as they have achieved their aim to help raise awareness of Prostate Cancer as well as raising money for charity.
"Prostate Cancer kills one man every hour in the UK; a very serious yet, if caught in time, curable disease. We are pleased that so many FMB members have dug deep into their pockets to help the tractor run team raise so much money for research into prostate cancer."
8 May 2008
