“How fit is your tractor?”

Kesh Young Farmers Club in Northern Ireland are the winning project in 2011 with their innovative competition called “How fit is your Tractor?”. Members of the Kesh Young Farmers’ Club and members of the local community were invited to bring their tractors to the Kesh Marina to enter the “fittest tractor” competition. The judge checked the engine, tyres, and the general condition compared to the age of the tractor with a grand prize awarded to the winner. Other club members also competed against an independent judge to see if they could assess and pick the tractor closest to the judge’s choice. In addition, there was also a junior section for children who came with their toy tractors!

The project had two aims: one was to give members a bit of fun and a chance to show off their tractors, and the other was to support a local charity from the proceeds raised. Club members chose to give the proceeds to the Walker Family who have young child suffering from a brain tumour.

Not only club members, but parents, friends and local business owners of Kesh got behind the venture and made it a big success for the whole community. The project was entirely organised by young people and all people involved were volunteers, including the professional judge, who not only volunteered his time but also gave a large donation to the project and the YFC club. Members of the Kesh Club greatly enjoyed being involved in a project benefitting someone in need and also bringing the whole community together at the same time.

The target for fundraising was £300-£400 but the project raised nearly £1200 for the Walker family, so the project greatly exceeded the expectations of young people involved. The project proves that something small can turn into a major fundraiser in not only in a small rural community like Kesh, but also in surrounding communities. In Irvinestown many follow-up events continued during the summer and raised a total of £18,000 for a new MRI Scanner for the Royal Victoria hospital for Sick Children. The Club received many thanks and recognition from the public for their fundraising efforts.

Attachments:

Northern Ireland tractor.pdf