‘Light up the night’ truck and tractor run is set to return this New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, December 31) in north Co. Kilkenny, with registration from 1:00p.m.
The night raises awareness around suicide and aims to promote looking after your mental health, while also promoting the organisations available to anyone who needs help with mental health.
Since its inception in 2015, the truck and tractor run has been returning every New Years eve, with the exception of two years, due to a high Covid-19 incidence rate in the area, where online donations were accepted instead.
The initial aim of the run was to “light up the night” by spreading hundreds of flashing trucks and tractors between the two highest points of north Co. Kilkenny – Ballymartin and Spa hill Johnstown.
As a result of previous events, the organisers have collected over €60,000 which was distributed to mental health organisations, such as: Teach Tom; Kilkenny Involvement centre; and LifeLink Kilkenny.
The two highest points will be lit up again this year, with the lower ground around the perimeter of the two high points to also be dazzled bright with a convoy of fully lit trucks.
Organisers have asked anyone interested in promoting the event or giving assistance on the night to get in contact.
The convoys are expected to take to the hills from around 4:30p.m following registration, with €20 entry per vehicle.
The vehicles will be leaving from Hollands, Ballyragget and there will be truck parking available at Cillín Hill, and tractor parking at Hollands Yard.
The convoy is expected to return at approximately 6:30p.m to finish the night off with a cabaret and raffle in Ballyragget, where Danny Byrne Band will join the group for a period, before the band member’s main event at The Hub.