Community truck gathering raises £3,000 for Cardigan Cancer Care

A community‑driven truck gathering and tractor run on Saturday, 5 September, lifted £3,000 for Cardigan Cancer Care.

The event unfolded at The Shed Mwnt, a rural venue that has become a hub for local fundraising activities.

Organisers invited owners of vintage lorries, agricultural tractors and classic vehicles to showcase their machines in a weekend of engines and goodwill.

Entry to the gathering was free, but participants and spectators were encouraged to donate to the cancer charity.

Local businesses and volunteers set up a series of stalls where raffle tickets were sold alongside a modest auction of donated items.

The auction, held in the evening, featured everything from handcrafted jewellery to a restored 1970s Land Rover.

Raffle prizes ranged from a weekend stay at a nearby B&B to a set of gardening tools, drawing a steady stream of contributors.

In addition to the static displays, a tractor run wound its way through the surrounding countryside, attracting onlookers from neighbouring villages.

Drivers of the tractors, many of whom are long‑time residents, waved to the crowd as they passed, creating a festive atmosphere.

Local councillor Rhys Morgan, who helped coordinate the event, said the turnout exceeded expectations and highlighted the community’s commitment to supporting those affected by cancer.

Cardigan Cancer Care, a charity that provides practical and emotional assistance to patients and families, has relied on grassroots fundraising to sustain its services.

The £3,000 raised will be earmarked for transport vouchers, enabling patients to attend appointments without the burden of travel costs.

It will also fund a series of support workshops that the charity runs throughout the year, offering counselling and peer‑to‑peer sessions.

Organisers noted that the event’s success reflects a broader trend of rural communities rallying around health‑related causes.

“When you see a tractor convoy rolling through the hills, you know the spirit of the valley is alive,” one volunteer remarked, describing the sense of solidarity.

The Shed Mwnt’s owner, Gareth Hughes, offered the venue free of charge, describing the partnership with Cardigan Cancer Care as “a natural fit for the values we hold dear in this part of Ceredigion.”

He added that the site’s open fields and rustic barns provided an ideal backdrop for the display of agricultural machinery.

Attendance figures suggest that over 200 members of the public visited the gathering throughout the day.

Many arrived early to watch a line‑up of classic trucks, including a restored 1950s Bedford and a 1970s Ford cargo vehicle.

Children were entertained by a small petting zoo set up beside the main arena, adding a family‑friendly element to the day.

Local schoolchildren also took part, handing out flyers and helping with the collection of donations.

The event’s organisers emphasised that the funds raised are only a part of the charity’s annual budget, underscoring the need for continued community support.

Cardigan Cancer Care’s director, Elaine Davies, thanked participants, noting that “every pound helps us keep vital services running for those who need them most.”

She highlighted that transport assistance alone can make the difference between a patient receiving timely treatment or facing delays.

In the weeks following the event, the charity plans to distribute the vouchers to families identified through its referral network.

Volunteers will also use part of the proceeds to expand the charity’s outreach programme, reaching more remote households across the county.

The success of the truck gathering and tractor run has prompted organisers to consider making it an annual fixture on the local calendar.

They hope that future editions will attract even more participants, potentially increasing the fundraising target beyond the current £3,000 mark.

For now, the community can take pride in a day where engines roared, generosity flowed, and a vital local charity received a welcome boost.