High Sheriff Award accolade for hospice Tractor Run fundraiser

14/03/2024

The RC Baker Christmas Tractor Run has raised over £140,000 since it started

The lady behind an event which brings pre-Christmas joy to thousands – and cash to Katharine House in the tens of thousands – has been presented with a High Sheriff Award.

Jennie Steenkamp from RC Baker created the hugely popular Christmas Tractor Run eight years ago and since then has raised over £140,000 for the hospice.

Jennie received the prestigious accolade at the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Awards Ceremony on Monday at County Hall in Oxford. 

The annual awards recognise people across Oxfordshire who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and are recognised by others as inspirational.    Katharine House nominated Jennie for her award.

Jennie’s grandfather passed away at Katharine House in 2004.   She ran the first Tractor Run in 2016 when 26 tractors joined in, raising just over £2,000.    Last year the event featured 100 tractors and raised a staggering £49,202.

Jennie said: “I could never have dreamed that the event would become so huge, so popular, so incredibly well loved and raise such enormous amounts of money.  I am so incredibly proud of what we have all achieved with it.

“There is so much potential and it’s really exciting to think how we can build on it even more!  It’s just getting bigger and bigger! It’s fantastic to raise money for the wonderful Katharine House, a cause so close to our family’s heart.”

Katharine House Hospice Community and Events Manager Roseann Thompson said: “The Tractor Run simply would not exist without Jennie and the incredible amount of work she pours into it. Her amazing support has raised over £140,000 for Katharine House in eight years and she has created something wonderful for the whole community to be a part of and celebrate.”


Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam

Reader's opinions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Current track

Title

Artist

Background