START YOUR ENGINES: Rotary Club of Orange members John Hogan, president Mick Doyle and Rob Westcott have sponsored a tractor in the inaugural Tractor Trek kicking off this Friday with all funds going to Camp Quality. They are pictured with Tractor Trek director and Camp Quality co-ordinator Graeme Eggleston (second from left). Photo: LUKE SCHUYLER 0820tractorpull(6)
GET your motors running this Friday as the inaugural Tractor Trek kicks off in Orange to raise funds for Camp Quality.
Over 80 children across the central west, 27 of them in Orange, are helped by Camp Quality, which provides fun therapy to children and families affected by cancer.
The three-day Tractor Trek will begin at Borenore and travel through Molong, Cumnock, Yeoval, Dubbo, Geurie, Wellington, Stuart Town, Mumbil and Mullion Creek before arriving back in Orange.
Camp Quality co-ordinator and Tractor Trek director Graeme Eggleston said he had been overwhelmed with support from the community.
“We’re aiming to raise around $60,000 and we’ll probably get pretty close to that,” he said.
“It’s been amazing how many organisations have volunteered time and financial support to an event which will bring a smile to so many children.
“We are confident the Tractor Trek will support around 50 of these children to attend the camp.”
The Rotary Club of Orange has put forward a $1000 sponsorship for a tractor driven by Rob Westcott in the trek.
President Mick Doyle said the money came from gate takings Rotary received through Taste Orange’s A Day on the Beach event held in January.
“It’s a very worthwhile cause,” Mr Doyle said.
Mr Westcott will drive a Kubota tractor that will tow behind it a restored 1954 TED Ferguson tractor.
“I’m really looking forward to it ... you see the countryside really well with a tractor going down the road at 25 kilometres per hour,” he said.
Mr Eggleston said the community was welcome to farewell the 15 tractors taking part or welcome them back in when they return.
The Tractor Trek will leave from the National Field Days site this Friday at 8am and return to McNamara Lane at Robertson Park by 3pm on Sunday.
The tractors will be on display following the trek’s completion with a barbecue being held in Robertson Park from 1pm.