A West Sussex farmer organised a
tractor run which raised a record amount for a life-saving
charity which rescued his wife after a horse accident.
NFU West Sussex member Rupert Hoare
has been organising tractor runs in the county with a team
of friends and volunteers for the last three years to raise
money for the Air Ambulance Kent, Surrey, Sussex.
Last month’s Christmas tractor run
raised a record £36,371.54, surpassing the figure raised the
year before by more than £12,000.
Mr Hoare, who runs a mixed family
farm near Chichester, was inspired to support the charity
after his wife was taken to hospital by an air ambulance
after a horse-riding accident many years ago and after
taking part in a tractor run for the Air Ambulance in
Hampshire, where he learned more about their work.
Mr Hoare, who is on the NFU
regional livestock board, said: “The Air Ambulance is an
amazing charity and I am delighted that we have been able to
raise such a fantastic amount of money for them.
“My wife was taken to hospital in
an air ambulance many years ago and the charity helps so
many people.
“The Air Ambulance provides a
crucial service to farmers and people living and working in
rural and urban communities, delivering vital medical care
and getting people to hospital quickly in medical
emergencies. Their work saves lives.
“It costs £56,000 a day to keep the
Air Ambulance running so they need people to keep supporting
them.
“You hope you would never have to
need them, but it is great to know they are there in case.”
A total 114 tractors took part in
the tractor run last month.
The tractors were driven from
Funtington, through Westbourne, Southbourne, Nutbourne,
Bosham, Fishbourne, Kingsham, around Chichester, through Mid
Lavant, West Stoke, East Ashling and West Ashling.
Mr Hoare said he would like to
thank everyone who took part, supported the event and made
donations.
Sussex World 26th January
