Oswestry Illuminated Tractor Run Generates Nearly £17,500 for Charity

An illuminated tractor event has generated nearly £17,500 for a charitable organization, commemorating a young farmer who passed away due to a brain tumor. The Oswestry Illuminated Tractor Run, held on December 14, involved over 100 tractors and a 100-person team dedicated to gathering contributions. The vehicles traversed a 38-mile course, passing through 11 villages in the vicinity of Oswestry. This marked the event’s second consecutive year, organized to honor Will ‘Choc’ Roberts, who passed away in December 2022. The organization of the event was handled by Will’s parents, Dave and Sue Roberts, alongside Mike Lade and the Whittington and Oswestry YFC, a rural youth organization where Will previously served as chairman. The total amount raised represents an increase of £5,000 compared to the previous year’s event, and these funds will be contributed to the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. Mike Lade, an organizer, stated that the team was “totally amazed” by the extent of support for the event, noting that the number of participants had “greatly increasing” from the previous year. Mr. Lade commented: “I hope Sue and Dave Roberts think this was a good epitaph to Choc and has now become an annual event in the Oswestry diary.” Naomi Atkin, the CEO of Lingen Davies, expressed: “A massive thank you to everyone involved in organising and supporting the event, in particular Dave and Sue Roberts who continue to fundraise for the charity in memory of their son Will.” “Organising an event of this nature and on this scale is no small feat and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has been a part of the tractor run.” “This is a massive event and to raise £17,000 is a phenomenal tribute to Will Roberts and his family.” Discussing the charity’s community work, Ms. Atkin stated: “As a charity we fundraise to support services for those impacted by cancer throughout Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Mid Wales. “This money will go towards ensuring local people can access the best cancer services, equipment and kit locally at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital’s Lingen Davies Cancer Centre, as well as furthering our programme of holistic therapies available to patients living with and beyond in the community.”