More than 100 colorful tractors covered in Christmas lights delight locals at annual festive fundraiser in Banbury
- The Christmas Tractor Run in Oxfordshire takes place every year
More than 100 colorful tractors covered in Christmas lights delight locals at annual festive fundraiser in Banbury
People lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the 100 tractors that were decorated with Christmas lights last night for an annual festive fundraiser.
The Christmas Tractor Run, held in the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire, is held every year to raise money for the Katharine House hospice.
The event, now in its eighth year, brought out thousands of people in support of the patients as locals decorated their tractors with bright lights and Christmas trees.
One tractor carried a giant inflatable snowman on its back, while the other had a lighted reindeer, positioned to look like they were pulling it along, with lights acting as Santa’s ‘reins’.
A truck with ‘Katharine House Hospice’ written on the side – which provides palliative and end-of-life care – advertised the hashtag ‘Making Every Moment Matter’ as it drove towards the back of the convoy.
People lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the 100 tractors decorated with Christmas lights
The Christmas Tractor Run, held in the Oxfordshire town of Banbury, has taken place every year since 2016 to raise money for the Katharine House hospice
The event, now in its eighth year, brought out thousands of people in support of the patients as locals decorated their tractors with bright lights and Christmas trees last night.
The group of colorful vehicles with blow-up Santas and festive trees raised more than £13,000 before they even left.
It started from a farm in Barford St Michael at 5pm and traveled through the villages of South Newington, Milcombe and Bloxham before continuing to Banbury.
The convoy then passed Katharine House Hospice in Adderbury and traveled through four more towns and villages back to the farm it departed from.
It cost each participant £35 to secure a place in the group, and sponsorship packages ranged from £150 to £500.
Event organizer Jennie Steenkamp said: ‘The support for our event has been nothing short of remarkable, prompting us to shift our focus to sponsorship this year, with the aim of giving as many local businesses as possible the opportunity to be part to make of the event.
‘We are pleased with the enthusiastic responses we have received. With more than half of the fleet now sponsored, it is not only fantastic, but a game-changer for our fundraising efforts.”
The group of vehicles carrying blow-up Santas raised more than £13,000 before they even left
It started from a farm in Barford St Michael at 5pm and traveled through the villages of South Newington, Milcombe and Bloxham before continuing to Banbury
Roseann Thompson, Community Engagement Manager at Katharine House Hospice said: “The overwhelming response to sponsorship has truly exceeded our expectations, and the widespread community support for the event continues to leave us in awe.
‘We are also extremely grateful to TWE who, in collaboration with the tractor run team, decorated one of their trucks with text-to-donate information, adding a unique and impactful dimension to the convoy.
‘Although the Banbury Christmas Tractor Run will only feature tractors, the innovative approach with the signboard signage provides an exceptional means of highlighting the crucial donation opportunities. We couldn’t be more excited!
‘During this cost of living crisis, many charities are finding it harder to raise money and Katharine House Hospice is no different. As such, this event is so important to us and we are so grateful to RC Baker, the sponsors, tractor drivers and of course our wonderful local community.”
Since the first Christmas Tractor Run in 2016, the event has raised £97,000 to date.