Tractor girls’ 1000 mile challenge

Jul 2 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A GROUP of 10 inspirational young ladies have embarked on the epic charity challenge – driving 10 vintage tractors all the way from John o’Groats to Lands End.

Their journey covering 1000 miles is expected to take 13 days of intense driving to reach a target of £100,000.

The funds raised are to be spilt over four charities – Cancer Research UK, Caring for Children with Cancer, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Irish Motor Neurone Disease Research Foundation.

The Tractor Girls’ event was the brainwave of Jenny Coles who set about creating a group of like-minded ladies to take up the gauntlet, all of whom have had their lives touched in some way by cancer or motor neurone disease.

The group includes Eilidh Grieve from Aberfeldy who will be driving a Super Dexta New Performance Mode tractor.

The charismatic vehicle was built in 1963 by Mungalls of Forfar and started its working life on the Atholl Estates with the Melloy family who were tenants.

On Mr Melloy’s retirement in 1970 the estate took over the tractor and it was used as the stock tractor on Home Farm for many years.

It was purchased in 1999 by Eilidh’s father who then restored it to its former glory with a complete overhaul and re-spray and was gifted to her for her 21st birthday.

As part of the epic road trip the girls stopped at Blair Castle for lunch before continuing their journey south.

Eilidh commented: “I was excited to be able to drive the tractor back to of Blair Castle and the Atholl Estate, one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks, and I would like to thank Atholl Estates for supporting the tractor girls 2010.”

On completion of their journey the tractor girls and their ‘steeds’ will be boarding a ferry and will be travelling the length and breadth of Ireland continuing their challenge to raise awareness and funds for their nominated charities.

For more details visit the website www.tg2010.co.uk