FINAL instructions have been published for the popular Christmas Tractor and Truck run this evening.
Dozens of decorated agri vehicles are expected to take part in the festive fundraiser, which is the fourth of its kind.
They will start gathering at the auction mart in Lockerbie from 2.30 pm, ready for a 5.30 pm set off, with stalls and refreshments to entertain everyone while they wait.
Police and Blood Bikes will accompany the Christmassy convoy on their route through Lochmaben and to Dumfries then back to Lockerbie via Johnstonebridge, with donations collected en-route.
It’s all in aid of Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary’s neonatal department and also in memory of organiser Ryan Muir’s mum Carol.
So far Ryan and family have raised £918 this year and he hopes to beat last year’s final total of £15,000, when 255 tractors and lorries took part.
He said: “A total of our last three years fundraising, we have raised a whopping £28,850! Last year’s total was over £15,000, we hope to sail past that and beat that again this year.”
Explaining his motivation, Ryan added: “Our daughter was born nine weeks premature in 2015 weighing only 3lb 4.2oz. The staff in these wards go above and beyond in not only helping our babies but us parents too because it’s such a magical time, yet so hard seeing our tiny little warriors fight through to start in life.
“We ask that if you can, to give as much as you can to help our neonatal ward who are simply no other than angels in disguise helping our babies.
“We also do this to spread a little Christmas spirit for all to see and enjoy! We spend months of preparing and planning, taking up hundreds of hours organising to put this all together.
“We get a lot of thrill and enjoyment seeing the communities come out to support and give what they can to such a special cause.”
And remembering his beloved mum, Ryan said: “I would like to dedicate this to our mum who passed away on the 1st of July who was a dedicated mother, nana and team member to our babies, who lived and breathed for her children and grandchildren.
“Our mother Carol loved raising money for neonatal and was such a huge part in helping put all this together and will be massively missed by everyone.”
n To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/page/light-up-neontal-dgri
