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Tractor run smashes through £30k with money still being counted
18/12/2023
“It’s just so lovely that people enjoy it so much and it brings so much joy to them at this time of year”
This year’s RC Baker Christmas Tractor Run has already smashed a previous record for the amount raised – and the money is still being counted!
By Monday morning over £30,000 had been generated for the Katharine House Hospice by the fairy lit convoy of 100 tractors, which toured the area on Saturday evening. That total is set to increase with the money raised in the bucket collections yet to be counted.
Last year the Tractor Run raised £27,000.
Jennie Steenkamp from RC Baker Ltd organises the event and leads a large team of people who make it happen. She’s delighted how this year’s Tractor Run went.
Jennie said: “It was absolutely wonderful. Everybody just went beyond my expectations hugely in terms of how they decorated their tractors. I actually can’t believe how much better they get every year.”
Thousands of people came out to see this year’s Tractor Run, some travelling long distances to see the colourful spectacle. Jennie was delighted with the turn out.
She said: “Milcombe was wonderful as always. South Newington was fantastic. Heading into Banbury was absolutely incredible. The amount of people there was breathtaking.”
Katharine House Hospice receives the money raised at the Tractor Run. Collectors were out at various points around the route and people were encouraged to donate online and by text. Tractor drivers paid for their place in the convoy. This year 54 of the tractors were sponsored by local companies and this generated over £13,500 of income for the event.
Jennie said: “We couldn’t be happier – and the money’s still being counted. Good luck to the staff at Katharine House counting up all the money that’s been thrown into the buckets!
“There’s about 7,000 people that we need to thank! It’s a huge undertaking and there are lots of people involved. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that nobody would know about. If it wasn’t for everyone pulling together there’s no way we could pull off such an incredible event.
“It’s just so lovely that people enjoy it so much and it brings so much joy to them at this time of year. When you hear somebody say that it really is the start of their Christmas that means a lot and makes it all worthwhile.”
Will the RC Baker Christmas Tractor Run return in 2024? Jennie said: “Could we not? I think we will definitely be doing it again next year.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam