Corofin man gears up to drive Massey 135 across Ireland
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Tractor Run to support several charities
A YOUNG Corofin man is excited to join his friends in a 710km Tractor Run to raise funds for various charities including Daisy Lodge Cong, a cancer respite service for children in Mayo.
Jamie Langan, along with his friends David Hastings, Philip Hastings, Dominick McGreal, Philip Robb and Tomás O’ Malley, is undertaking the challenge travelling by tractor from Mizen Head in Cork to Malin Head in Donegal.
They hope to complete the journey within five days starting on Wednesday, January 29 to Sunday, February 2.
The run is being organised to remember John O’Malley, father of Tomás O’Malley from Liscarney, Westport, who passed away 20 years ago after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
John was 51 years of age at the time and his passing left a huge void in his family and in the local community where he worked as an agricultural contractor.
Jamie told The Tuam Herald that he wanted to support his friend while also trying to raise some money for cancer care because “so many families these days are going through the struggle” of dealing with cancer.
“Although, I don’t have any personal experience in terms of someone having cancer in my family, I know almost every family has some kind of experience with this,” remarked Jamie.
This run will be an endurance test for all involved as their mode of transport will be six vintage ‘Massey Ferguson 135’ tractors that will be transported to Mizen Head by Ciaran Nolan of Beirne Express Freight in Westport.
The decision to use the iconic tractor that ceased production in 1975 was taken because John’s first tractor was a Massey Ferguson 135.
“Anyone can join us on the way to do a small section of the journey or people can also support us by standing out on the way,” added Jamie.
The run will aid three charities - Gena Heraty Haiti Fund, Mayo Roscommon Hospice and the Daisy Lodge, Cong (which is currently under development) in Co. Mayo.
Jamie further added that Gena Heraty was a neighbor of John and “he had great respect for her” and her tireless work for the people of Haiti.
The fund will remain open for a month following the conclusion of the Tractor Run and any money raised will go straight to the charities.
“Many people have worked very hard to organise this event and we are grateful to each and every one of them.
“This by its nature, is a once-off event and we won’t be asking for funding again. We are deeply indebted to everyone that has already donated and to those who will do so in the coming weeks,” said the organisers of the event.
Donations can be made to an account in the Westport Credit Union with the name “Mizen to Malin Tractor Run” and the IBAN number: IE88WECI99217312241688.