The “Christmas Tractors of Nenagh” have an extra special celebration planned for this year – in an effort to spread some Christmas cheer and raise much-needed funds for two very worthy causes in the process.

Set to descend upon Co. Tipperary in virtual form this weekend, the Christmas Tractors of Nenagh – which will be driven by the Agricultural Contractors of North Tipperary – will see drivers put their machines through their paces to raise funds for Embrace FARM and Billy’s Recovery.

The uncertainty of the moment and the need to protect each other has encouraged the event organisers to think outside the box on how to bring the magic of the Christmas Tractors of Nenagh safely to the community.

This year’s celebration will be filmed ahead of time and broadcast virtually, makig it available to family and friends around the world, this Saturday, December 19, at 7:00pm on YouTube and the event’s Facebook page.

Commenting, event organiser Albert Purcell said: “This year’s virtual celebration gives a great opportunity for members of our community who may not live locally or able to travel home this Christmas to participate in this unique tradition.”

Scenes from the 2019 event. Image source: John W Anderson

Embrace FARM, founded by Brian and Norma Rohan, supports a network of farm families who have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury in a farming accident.

Founder of Embrace FARM Norma Rohan added: “Supporting the farming community is so important and we see its direct impact with the Christmas Tractors of Nenagh where farmers are coming out to support their local town and community.

“Now more than ever that sense of community is extremely important, so we are delighted to be a recipient of this year’s Christmas Tractors of Nenagh fundraising efforts,” she added.

Proceeds from the ‘Christmas Tractors of Nenagh’ will also go to Billy’s Recovery to support the care of Billy Goulding who was tragically left paralysed after contracting a virus at a young age.

Abbey Machinery and other local businesses have pledged their continued support for the event in raising funds for Embrace FARM and Billy’s Recovery.

Clodagh Cavanagh, managing director of Abbey Machinery, said: “The Christmas Tractors of Nenagh production will bring much needed cheer to the community while raising funds for Embrace FARM and Billy’s Recovery, organisations extremely important to the Abbey team.”

Scenes from the 2019 event. Image source: John W Anderson

The Agricultural Contractors of North Tipperary have been working on their tractors and displays for weeks preparing a spectacular event filled with classic tractors, Christmas lights and plenty of cheer.

For those interested, people can donate directly on the Christmas Tractors of Nenagh GoFundMe page; or text FARM to 50300 to donate €4.00.