Nearly two hundred women turned out on tractors to drive the twenty-mile route through south Norfolk and north Suffolk in a convoy of decorated tractors swathed in pink. Last year, the annual event reached more than £200,000, taking the total amount raised to more than £1 million, a huge milestone for the Pink Ladies.
“What an amazing achievement for a bunch of ladies on tractors, to have raised over £1 million in 20 years for breast cancer research”, organiser Annie Chapman says.
“Cancer hasn’t gone away, so we must continue to raise funds for this very worthwhile cause.”
Audrey Alexander from Bush Green has been taking part in the Pink Ladies tractor run since 2005, and says that the event is marked out in her diary each year.
“The tractor I take is a grey Massey Ferguson, which was the first tractor purchased by my late father-in-law to be used on the farm. After its useful life, it was left in the nettles – but it was resurrected by my husband and son and it’s helped to raise a lot of money over the years.”
While the organisers feared that there would be a dip in numbers attending this year, one hundred and ninety four ladies signed up to take part. More than sixty were new to the event.
“As with any event of this size, it cannot be achieved without the support of many people”, Annie continues.
“I would like to express my thanks to all tractor owners, landowners, the many marshals, collecting ladies and anyone else who helps to make this event happen. It’s a large team effort.”
So far, this year’s event has raised about £60,000, and donations can still be made online.
Source: Farmers Weekly & Ladies Tractor Run
Picture: Jon Slack
