On Sunday evening (December 17), the Weald of Kent Young Farmers Club (YFC) held their second ‘Light It Up’ tractor run with more than forty illuminated tractors parading through several villages across the Weald.
There has been lots of support for the event within the local community with many people collecting donations in buckets and several businesses sponsoring the event including M&A Brown & Sons Ltd, Kingcott Dairy, Beshaw Tyres, Tow Truck Trader.
YFC club leader and creator of the Tractor Run, Claire Eckley told the Times: “We could tell there was a buzz on social media, so we were expecting large crowds as the weather was also kind. There were thousands of people of all ages viewing in all four villages, and lots of people along the route between the villages. It was beyond anything we expected.”
The annual fundraising event collects donations for the Kent, Surrey, and Sussex Air Ambulances and also for the club itself. Last year the YFC raised more than £5,000 for the Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Ambulance Charity and £1,700 in club funds. This year’s grand total won’t be tallied up until January, but the club are estimating a total of £12,000 or more, based on where they were at this time last year.
She added: “We always hope to raise lots of money for our chosen charity and our club, but we are also really proud that everyone can enjoy this, no matter their financial circumstances in what can be an expensive time of year.
“Our farming community is proud of what they do and it’s a great boost for them to bring some cheer to the villages.”
If you would like to donate, visit the event’s JustGiving page at: justgiving.com/page/wokyfctractorrun2023
