A record number of women are taking part this weekend with the aim to raise £1m
The iconic Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run will see a record number of women taking part this weekend.
With the event racing towards a fundraising total of £1m, 195 women swathed in pink will take to their tractors to mark the 20th anniversary of this iconic event.
On Sunday 2nd July the record-breaking convoy will snake its way through south Norfolk and north Suffolk.
To date, the event has raised £896,000 in aid of Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal and this year the Pink Ladies hope to raise the £104,000 needed to reach £1m.
Organised by Annie Chapman, she said: “This really is a record-breaking year! As it’s the 20th anniversary of the run it has taken on a real buzz.
“We have 195 ladies entered, many of them new, and all very excited.
“We also hope it will be a record year in terms of fundraising for our charity, Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal, when we hope to reach our overall total of £1 million.
“We thank everyone for their support and hope they will bear with us on Sunday 2nd July when it will be very busy! Who could have known 20 years ago that a one-off bit of fun would turn into such an amazing event. Thank you to everyone.”
Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk, Philippa Taylor, who has previously taken part in the Run, will be at Thorpe Abbotts airfield for the start of the run, representing Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Dannatt.
Alice Cusworth will be taking part for the second time. Based in Kuwait, she will be joining with her mum and two sisters and has recently hosted a fundraising event which raised more than £1,000.
She said: “Breast cancer can affect anyone and in any community, which makes it a real motivation to fundraise especially when you can see the difference that Cancer Research is making to people’s lives in the UK and across the world.
“A highlight for me last year was seeing the people that line the streets who wave and cheer you on and enjoying picnics themselves in front of their homes. The whole atmosphere between the participants, spectators and not to forget the vital support crew is definitely a driving force for me to return this year.
“As well as the actual tractor run, there is a spider web of events happening which add to the build up with excitement and togetherness; and all for a fantastic cause!”
The route starts at Thorpe Abbotts airfield before heading through Thorpe Abbotts, Brockdish and Upper Weybread, arriving in Harleston at about 12.30pm, before stopping for lunch between 1pm and 3pm at Gawdy Hall Meadow, Redenhall to which everyone is invited to bring a picnic lunch.
The route back to Thorpe Abbotts airfield heads through Pulham St. Mary, Rushall, Langmere Green and back to the airfield.
Lynne Ainge was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and will be taking part in her tenth run this year. She said: “I had seen the tractor run in the local press previously but now it meant more. I really wanted to be a Pink Lady and raise awareness as well as funds. One of my cousin’s worked on a farm and arranged for me to drive a small Massey Ferguson for my first run in 2012.
“I am a Breast Cancer Survivor, however I also have many friends, work colleagues and family who have been affected. Sadly, not all have been survivors. I have lost count of the messages at all times of the day or night from people I know well to reach out and ask how I coped because they have been given that news that they have breast cancer.
“I will always be there and try to reassure, support and help. I have always been happy to talk as openly as possible because if it raises awareness and gets people treated quickly then that is a good thing.
“I want to give hope to others that may be affected. I will do the run for as long as it takes place. I am also doing other events this year to add to the push to the million-pound mark. These include a cake stall, car boot and a fashion show.”
Last year 112 tractors took place and were greeted by thousands of supporters who had turned out along the route. A total of £84,000 was raised that year, a record for a single year of fundraising.
The incredible total was raised by the ladies who took part in the event, money collected on the day from supporters who gathered along the route and fundraising activities following the tractor run.
Annie said: “As with any event of this size it cannot be achieved without the support of many people. I would like to express my thanks to all tractor owners, landowners, the many marshals, collecting ladies and anyone else who helps to make this event happen, it’s a large team effort!”
A new book, charting the rise of the Pink Ladies Tractor Run and the stories behind the women who take part is out now.
‘The Pink Ladies’ reveals the story of the run over its 20 years and features a compilation of many stories – some funny, some emotional.
It is available for £10 from Robinson’s Traditional Stationers in Harleston and CopyDiss in Diss. It will soon be available via the event’s website and Facebook page.
Donations for this year’s event can be made via https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/pink-ladies-tractor-road-run-2023
The 2023 Ladies’ Tractor Road Run takes place on Sunday 2nd July 2023.
For more information about the event please visit www.ladiestractorroadrun.co.uk
This year’s fundraising total will be announced on Friday 8th September 2023.
