Christmas tractor run around the Lutterworth villages puts a festive smile on kids’ faces

The event helped raise thousands of pounds for charity
The Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERThe Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
The Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

A huge Christmas tractor run went ahead in South Leicestershire yesterday (Sunday) to put a festive smile on kids’ faces – and support a vital local charity.

Ryan Archer, 40, and his close friend Rob Brown set up the spectacular two and a half-hour high-octane yuletide rally through the villages around Lutterworth.

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And he’s hoping to raise £5,000 for Leicestershire MS Therapy Centre on Freemens Common Road, Leicester.

Ryan, of Countesthorpe, said: “It went down a storm so we are delighted.

“We held the first event back in February 2019 and it proved ever so popular.

“We were hoping to stage the second in March 2020 but, of course, Covid stopped that.

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“So we’ve been really looking forward to getting out there again.”

Residents watch the Archers Festive tractor run along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERResidents watch the Archers Festive tractor run along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Residents watch the Archers Festive tractor run along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

The dad-of-two said that 63 tractors took part in their first spectacular.

“I’m pretty sure we topped that number yesterday.

“We are very grateful to so many farmers in the Lutterworth area who’ve really got behind us from the start,” said Ryan, who works in agriculture.

“We went to all the relevant authorities such as local councils and the police to ensure we got their approval.

The Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERThe Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
The Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
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“And they all gave us the thumbs up because it’s an outdoors thing, totally Covid-safe and there was no mixing.

“We fitted special Christmas lights to the tractors and even set up festive music as well to put a smile on kids’ faces as we went past,” said Ryan.

“I have thyroid cancer and I go to the MS centre in Leicester every week for oxygen therapy.

“The people there are brilliant.

The Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERThe Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
The Archers Festive tractor run makes it's way along Bill Crane Way in Lutterworth. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“So I’m determined to give what I can back to them.

“This is an excellent cause very close to my heart so I’m elated that are managing to raise so much cash for the unit.”

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After leaving Lutterworth at 4pm yesterday the tractors trailed through Dunton Bassett, Broughton Astley, Cosby, Whetstone, Blaby and Countesthorpe before heading back through Peatling Parva and Gilmorton.

Ryan’s already raked in almost £1,800.

“We’ve got off to a super start and it would be nice to break the £5,000 mark for such a fantastic charity doing so much great work,” said Ryan.

If you would like to back Ryan and his very special Tractor Boys, you can donate on his fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/archers-charity-tractor-run-festive-december2020If the video is not playing on your article, click here - https://youtu.be/XonK8_V0mJ4