Over €64k raised from tractor run

Festive event benefits local charities

Christmas Tractors Nenagh raised an outstanding €64,149 for its two chosen beneficiaries. This year’s beneficiaries were The A-Team, North Tipperary’s youth club for the autism community, and Billy Goulding, a young boy who was suddenly paralysed from the neck down at the age of two after being struck by a virus.

Albert Purcell, lead organiser of Christmas Tractors Nenagh 2024, said: “We were delighted with the success of Christmas Tractors Nenagh 2024 and it’s great to see it growing in popularity every year. Last year was the seventh year of our parade. The main reason it has grown in popularity is down to the show the North Tipperary contractors and their friends put on for us every year.

“I’d really like to thank our two beneficiaries, Billy Goulding and his family and the A-Team for the extreme work they put into the event in the months leading up to the parade. We raised €64,149 this year and it’s just astounding.”

The money raised by Christmas Tractors Nenagh will make a substantial difference to the chosen beneficiaries.

Victor Goulding, proud father of Billy Goulding, commented: “We are forever grateful to Christmas Tractors Nenagh and Albert Purcell for continuing to keep Billy in mind when it comes to fundraising. The money raised helps Billy with physio, horse riding and sessions in an oxygen chamber every week. With the extra money raised this year, we are hoping to install some assistive technology in the house to give him a little more independence.”

Equally grateful was the A-Team.

Ailish Cleary, Chairperson of the A-team, added: “The A-Team is very grateful to be the be one of the beneficiaries of Christmas Tractors Nenagh for 2024. It is an amazing community event to be involved in. All of the money raised for the A-Team goes into our building fund. We are committed to creating a space for our youth club for the autistic community in North Tipperary.”

Christmas Tractors Nenagh was very appreciative of the support they received from local businesses and the wider community of North Tipperary last year.

Albert Purcell added: “Christmas Tractors Nenagh 2024 is very grateful for the support of Nenagh Chambers and Tipperary County Council. They really got behind us last year, especially Rosmary Joyce, Nenagh Gardaí and all the volunteers that took part to help us run our magical event, which without all that help, just wouldn’t be possible. We’d also like to thank all of the local businesses in Nenagh, especially the Nenagh Credit Union, for their continued support of Christmas Tractors Nenagh. They played such a big role this year in helping us to raise funds for our two very worthy beneficiaries.”

Nenagh Credit Union was thrilled when the opportunity arose to play a part in this event and provide funding that will help the event continue into the future. Pat Naughton, CEO from Nenagh Credit Union, said: “A big thank you to Albert, the committee and the contractors who make this magical night happen each year.”

“Without the hard work of the North Tipperary contractors and their friends, who selflessly give up their time and their resources to create such a magical event, Christmas Tractors Nenagh just wouldn’t be possible.”

Murt Toohey, a contractor who takes part in the parade year-on-year, said: “It’s brilliant to be involved in what has become such a big event every Christmas. For me it’s the reaction from the crowd, especially the kids. I’d like to think it leaves an impression and Christmas Tractors will be a childhood memory for them for years to come, and to be raising money for such fantastic causes, it’s great to be involved.”