Drivers from Parkes through to Lithgow decked out their machines with everything from flags and bumper stickers to custom coats of paint, to the delight of families welcoming them at the end of their two-day journey.

After $182,000 was raised last year, this year’s total has already reached $232,000.

An emotional trek director, Graeme Eggleston, said the tractors were delayed by dust through Cudal and Cargo, but the trek ran smoothly.

“The generosity has been unbelievable,” he said.

“Gooloogong school, with 19 students, raised $400 and Canowindra Lions donated $9000, and they’re a little club in a little town,” he said.

“They all got behind it.” 

Mr Eggleston said Camp Quality helped 51 families in the Central West and volunteers were in the process of organising additional camps for sick children and their siblings.

“Laughter is the best medicine and when you provide that, their chances of recovery are much, much greater,” he said.

Among the Camp Quality families in attendance were the Robinsons from Orange.

Karen Robinson said Camp Quality had helped her family after her three-year-old son, Zac, was diagnosed with immunodeficiency. 

“It’s just amazing to have the support of strangers willing to go to this much effort to help our family through a stressful time,” she said. 

Among the tractor drivers was Graham Eslick from Cudal - he no longer farms wheat and canola, but kept his last red tractor to feed his remaining livestock, mow the grass and participate in the trek. 

“I just wanted to support the kids,” he said.

danielle.cetinski@

fairfaxmedia.com.au