Approximately 120 tractors turned out this weekend to take part in a charity run in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.
The event – which was organised in the memory of Lisa Dolan, a local girl who passed away last year after a battle with Cystic Fibrosis aged 21 – took place on a damp Sunday afternoon (February 18) in Clonark, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.
Despite the dreary conditions the local community turned out in force to support the event. Tractors began gathering at Connaughton’s Pub from 11:00am onwards.
Tractors of all makes and models turned up; with the large car park nearly at capacity, the charity run set off shortly after 12:30pm – with a large contingent of Lisa’s family, friends and neighbours taking part.
A registration fee of €20 per tractor was charged, with all funds raised going towards Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. On their return, tractor drivers were treated to refreshments and live music. A raffle also took place on the day.
This is just one of a number of fundraising events being organised by Lisa’s close family and friends over the coming weeks.
The tractor run was held in conjunction with the Malin2Mizen Cycle4CF. The four-day cycle returns in 2018, with participants setting off on a 602km trek on May 10 and arriving on May 13.
This year’s cycle will be in memory of Lisa, who helped to launch the event in Athlone in November 2016 – the same year as she received a double-lung transplant. The mammoth cycle aims to raise funds to support people living with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland.