Longford Truck and Tractor Run raises €54k

A presentation comprising over €50,000 in monies raised from a truck and tractor run last December was made to three local charities recently.

The Cavan/Monaghan Dialysis Unit and the Irish Kidney Association each received €22,500 with Sosad receiving €8,500 following the staging of Longford’s Finest Truck and Tractor Run took place on December 27 last.

The committee comprising of Vonnie Sheridan, Patricia Nugent, Colm Nugent, Molly Creegan, Johnny Creegan, Roger Stakem, Mark Cadam , Paddy Farrell,Pauric Brady, Paul Belton have been organising fundraisers over the years.

Over the years they have raised more than €200,000 for various charities. The original idea for these stemmed from Norman Hall (Hall Transport ) who has been at the forefront of these events over the years.

Having not hosted an event since 2017, the committee decided to convene one more time and this time the beneficiaries were as follows: The Irish Kidney Assoc, Cavan Dialysis Patient Comfort Fund and Sosad Suicide Awareness and Support charity.

The event itself consisted of truck and tractor competitions in Mastertech Business Park, with the run and convoy then travelling on to Creegans Bulaghy via Mostrim and Granard. An auction on the evening raised over €15,000 with a huge crowd turning out on the night to listen to the Midlanders and Night Fever.

The Committee would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported the event either by attendance or donations, a special word of thanks to the Garda Siochana for their help on the day in traffic management assisting all our stewards who helped, we greatly appreciated all your help. Thanks also to Declan Nerney who popped in to sing a few songs, and to the catering vans who attended on the day. Thank you to the tenants and management in Mastertech who facilitated us for the assembly and competitions and to the Colmcille Vintage club for their participation in the event.

The presentation of monies to the three nominated charities took place on Saturday March 4 in Creegans of Bunlahy.

In attendance was representatives from the three charities with all three clearly outlining where the monies would be spent, with specific projects identified prior to receiving their respective cheques.