Tractor run raises £136k for cancer charity

Charity volunteers have raised £136,850 for Cancer Research UK thanks to their annual tractor run.

The Pink Ladies Tractor Road Run team shared the total it had raised at an event in Pulham St Mary, in Norfolk, on Friday.

About 200 women took part taking tractors festooned with pink decorations in convoy around a 20-mile (32km) route of south Norfolk and north Suffolk in July.

John Chapman, one of the organisers of the event, said: "On evenings like this you begin to learn the impact this event has on individuals."

Annie and John Chapman, who are organisers of the event, were appointed MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list for their services to fundraising.

This year, the event was held on 6 July with about 191 tractors touring the countryside, setting off from Thorpe Abbotts airfield, near Diss, before going across the Waveney Valley into north Suffolk.

Mr Chapman said: "Two ladies have said to me when they heard how much we have made they burst into tears.

"When you are so involved in the organisation, it is easy to miss that, tonight brings it out though and it is really special."

Ms Chapman said they had received about £16,000 in gift aid this year after moving some of the fundraising online, saying it "makes a huge difference".

Since starting in 2004, the event has raised £1,360,000 and volunteers are hoping to reach £1.5m next year.

Dawn Briggs, from Harleston, who attended the announcement, has taken part in the event for 17 years.

She said this year it brought "it all home" after her daughter suffered from breast cancer in 2023.

She said because of the fundraising efforts by the Chapmans her "daughter is still here" adding "that is fantastic".

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