Festive Tractor Convoy Raises £68,000 for Hospice

A local hospice has received £68,000, generated by a festive procession of illuminated tractors that captivated onlookers. On Saturday, a hundred vehicles traversed various villages and completed a circuit around Banbury Cross in north Oxfordshire. This yearly RC Baker Ltd Christmas Tractor Run, established in 2016, has now accumulated over £200,000 in total for Katharine House Hospice, located in Adderbury. The funds gathered this year surpass the £49,000 collected during the previous year’s event. According to the hospice, the increasing public support throughout the years has established the parade as its primary fundraising initiative. Roseann Thompson, the community engagement manager at Katharine House, stated: “More people than even before came out to watch the fleet and the energy was something else.” She described the yearly event as “incredible,” further mentioning that the hospice was “so grateful to everyone involved.” Jennie Steenkamp, affiliated with RC Baker, contributes to the organization of the tractor run and participated from within one of the hundred tractors. She remarked: “The view from the tractor cab was simply incredible—the crowds were amazing, waving and cheering, and adding so much atmosphere to the event.” She added: “Seeing the community come together and enjoy the event so much is always a real highlight.” Ms. Steenkamp mentioned having conversed with individuals who journeyed from locations as distant as California to witness the festive procession. She further commented: “But what makes it even more meaningful is the incredible amount of money raised for a charity so close to the hearts of so many in our community and among the tractor drivers.” Annually, Katherine House delivers specialized palliative care to approximately 1,300 adults suffering from incurable conditions. Readers can connect with BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.