Tractor run fundraiser this weekend in Walderstown

Forget about a traffic jam, one local group is hoping for a tractor jam in Walderstown this Sunday as they gear up for a major cancer research fundraiser. Tractors for Crumlin, a tractor run event, is set to take place this Sunday, February 24 next at 12pm to raise money for St John's Ward in Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin, where local girl Ciara Moran has been a cancer patient for the last few months. A transition year student in Moate Community School, the 15-year-old is the daughter of Joseph and Breda Moran of Walderstown. She is a past pupil of nearby Ardnagrath NS. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week, Tom Farrell explained that a group from the Walderstown and surrounding areas banded together recently and decided to do something for cancer research, and given that it's primarily a farming area the idea of a tractor run was decided on. He said that the Moran family is delighted the fundraiser will benefit St John's Ward in Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin, where Ciara is receiving the best of treatment since her diagnosis some months ago. "You hear about it (cancer) but when it comes to your door it's effects you all the more," Mr Farrell commented, saying that the group sends their best wishes to Ciara and her family, who are extremely well known in local farming and GAA circles. On the day tractors will converge on Walderstown from early morning with registration beginning at 10.30am before all vehicles leave at 12 noon sharp. Entry is €50 per tractor and drivers only are allowed to travel in the convoy, which will progress to Mount Temple, Moate and Ballymore before returning to Drumraney Community Centre where refreshments will be served for all participants later in the afternoon. A charity mixed match will also take place in the GAA pitch, featuring members of Maryland GAA club and Drumraney Camogie Club, of which Ciara Moran is a prominent member. "Crumlin hospital have been very helpful to us organising this event and the response from the public has been fantastic from right across the Midlands. It's the first tractor run of the year so we are hoping for big numbers," Mr Farrell said this week. Another committee member David Kincaid enthused that they have already had support from as far away as New York and three tractors from Cork are already booked in for the event. Any support or donations would be most welcome for the upcoming fundraiser. Both committee members thanked the Gardai for their assistance, the GAA for providing stewards for the tractor run and the local communities for their help so far in the run-up to the event. The organising committee is made up of Chairperson Jody Moran, Secretary David Kincaid, PRO Tom Farrell, Treasurers Pat Allen, Andy Donohoe and Joseph Moran, Assistant Secretary Kenneth Kincaid and committee members Adrian Elliott and Willie Moran For further information on the Tractors for Crumlin event on Sunday, February 24 next call David 087 9150065 or Tom 086 0274848 or email:tractorsforcrumlin@eircom.net