In pictures: 175 tractors roll for annual charity run
A charity run held in memory of a young farmer attracted 175 tractors and raised thousands of pounds for an air ambulance service.
The Knaresborough Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) tractor run took place on Sunday (11 March)
Was wonderful to see the Charity Tractor Run organised by Knaresborough @YorkshireYFC coming through #PateleyBridge & @nidderdaleshow ground. Over 170 tractors helping raise money for @YorkshireAirAmb pic.twitter.com/o4D7edQh83
— Pateley & Nidderdale (@nidderdaleuk) March 11, 2018
The event was held in memory of Michael Spink, a 24-year-old dairy farmer and Knaresborough YFC member, who was killed after being hit by a car in January 2017 during a spell working in New Zealand.
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Tractors assembled at York Place car park in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, at about 8am.
The tractor run got under way at about 9am and passed through the villages of Burton Leonard, Markington, Bishop Thornton, Warsill, Smelthouses and Wilsill.
Hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets to support the farmers along the route. The tractor drivers arrived at the Nidderdale Showground in Pateley Bridge between 12-12.30pm.
Knaresborough YFC’s Annual Tractor Run 2018 pic.twitter.com/ctcCUOYKoT
— Harrogate Informer (@Harrogate_News) March 11, 2018
James Parker, a precision agriculture engineer and Knaresborough YFC member, said: “Mike was a really good mate. We all miss him massively.
“He had a really dry, witty sense of humour. He would sit back, take everything in and come out with some amazing one-liners.
“Mike was a member of Knaresborough YFC since he was 10. Many years ago, we did some little tractor runs.
“He was very interested in organising those, so as a tribute to him, we put a big tractor run on last year. This year it has got even bigger.”
Tractor Fest #Knaresborough #Pateleybridge pic.twitter.com/PiP4qlYXez
— Sgt Andy Graham (@KnaresPolice) March 11, 2018
Mr Parker thanked the 12 local businesses that each sponsored a page in the programme, members of the Harrogate and District Farmers’ Clubs who cooked food for the day, and members of the public for their tremendous support.
Last year’s inaugural event attracted 122 tractors and raised more than £8,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Organisers say they are hopeful this year’s event will have raised more than £10,000 for the same charity. Next year’s event will take place on Sunday, 10 March.
* To make a donation, contact organisers James Parker on 07712 704411, Tim Weatherhead (club treasurer) on 07776 301585 or Steven Brown (club Chairman) on 07920 884575.