Women at the wheel of more than 100 vintages tractors in every shade of pink this year raised a record amount for breast cancer research.
The Pink Ladies' Tractor Run that took to the roads of South Norfolk on July 7 exceeded previous years when it raised a record sum of £65,500 for Cancer Research UK's breast cancer appeal.
Now a popular annual event the tractor run first took place in 2004 when it started out as a spur of the moment suggestion as a low key retirement project for organiser Annie Chapman.
This year's collection takes the total raised over the 16 years to more than £705,000 — and keeps it on track to achieve Mrs Chapman's dream of reaching £1 million in its 20th anniversary year.
The extraordinary 2019 total was raised by the 119 ladies who took part in the run on 117 tractors, money collected on the day from Thorpe Abbots Airfield, Harleston, villages and supporters around the route and at the picnic lunch at Gawdy Hall.
Money was also raised from an Auction of Promises at the Pennoyer Centre and other collecting sources including many local shops.
Mrs Chapman, who has received the British Empire Medal for her services to charity, said: "I believe it is our choice of charity that has been one of the reasons for the success of this Tractor Run along with the genuine challenge, fun and camaraderie it has engendered.
"Many of the ladies have had their own personal battle with breast cancer, all of them will know someone, maybe a family member who is struggling with it or who has been lost to it. Over the years I have received many letters and cards from participants telling their own story of why they do this run, some very moving and humbling. Sadly we have also lost a few of the Pink Ladies.
"On the day of this year's run, glorious weather made the day complete.
"Passing through our beautifully decorated local town of Harleston we were greeted with hundreds of enthusiastic well-wishers clapping and cheering, a very humbling and emotional experience."
- For more information about the event visit ladiestractorroadrun.co.uk
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