Ballymahon Tractor Run is back!

One of the main organisers of the upcoming Ballymahon Tractor Run in aid of the town's day care centre has praised the “overwhelming response” of businesses and the local community to the return of the popular fundraiser, the first to take place since April of 2019.

Tractors, vintage and modern, will gather on Sunday, October 3 at Centra Maxol, Athlone Road from 10am for registration, before leaving at noon to go to Tang, where they'll stop for refreshments in the local GAA pitch, before heading back towards Ballymore, and then taking the turn for Ballymahon to the finish at the town's GAA pitch.

“There has been a huge response so far, we're almost hitting €5,000 in local sponsorship before a tractor starts,” a delighted Darren Mulledy, who along with Mike Egan is organising the community event, which already has 30 main sponsors on board.

Considered a lifeline to older people in the town and surrounding areas, Ballymahon Day Care Centre, located beside St Mathew's Church in the town, reopened on September 6 on a phased basis, looking after eight to ten clients daily. Its Manager Breda Greaves said new people are most welcome to come along from surrounding areas like Tubberclair, Glasson, Tang and Drumraney.

“It's a vital service for Longford and Westmeath. There are no county boundaries or borders with Ballymahon Day Care Centre, everyone is welcome,” added Darren Mulledy, who said the centre is a fantastic social outlet for a lot of people who are living on their own by providing a safe and warm environment for all the clients to meet and chat, enjoy activities, talks, day trips and enjoy good hot cooked food which is freshly prepared in the centre's kitchen daily.

The tractor run has two objectives, he explained, firstly, to raise much-needed funds to keep the centre running on a daily basis and to be able to subsidise day trips, bus hire and other services."

Secondly, Darren pointed out that it's a great way of making people aware of this great service right on their doorstep for senior citizens who don't have many social outlets, and many of whom, have become very isolated and afraid since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Rural Ireland can be very isolating, so having a place for our senior citizens to attend and having the Local link bus service, which is free to the clients is fantastic. The Local link bus collects the clients from their home and takes them to the centre, and after the clients have got their shopping the Local link bus takes them home,” Darren said, stressing that the centre is a safe place for people to attend with limited numbers and all Covid-19 measures being adhered to.

He, and the Manager of Ballymahon Day Care Centre, Breda Greaves, thanked all local businesses for the huge support that they have given the tractor run already and paid tribute to all the volunteers helping us out on the day.

There will be donation buckets along the route and a raffle will also take place on the day. Tickets are on sale in Ballymahon Day Care Centre with three strips for €5, to be in with a chance of winning the first prize of a two-night stay in one of White's Hotel Group properties or second prize of an aerobatic experience in a Boeing Stearman sponsored by Screamin' Beans, Abbeyshrule, along with many more prizes.

Locals are welcome to come out and enjoy the spectacle on the day while adhering to Covid-19 guidelines.

If anyone would like any information about coming along to Ballymahon Day Care Centre, please call 09064 38445 or 086 1097682.