Tractor rally raises £1,100 for Breast Cancer Now in Pembrokeshire
Vintage tractor run through South West Pembrokeshire raises £1,100 for Breast Cancer Now, highlighting men’s breast‑cancer awareness and community spirit.
South West Wales volunteers from the National Vintage and Engine Club have handed over a £1,100 cheque to Breast Cancer Now after a rain‑battered tractor rally across Pembrokeshire.
The fundraising drive began in early May at St Ishmaels Garden Centre, where club members gathered their vintage tractors and set off along the coastal lanes of South West Pembrokeshire.
Despite a sudden downpour that drenched drivers and spectators alike, the convoy pressed on, determined to complete the route and raise money for the charity.
Club treasurer Jo Richards recalled the soggy conditions, noting that “the weather was against us, but the spirit of the day kept us moving.”
By the time the tractors returned to the starting point, the group had collected £1,100, a sum earmarked for Breast Cancer Now’s research and patient‑support programmes.
The cheque was presented at the club’s September meeting, held in the historic Pelcomb Inn, where a buffet of local fare was served to members and guests.
Sheila Ralph, a long‑standing volunteer with Breast Cancer Now, received the donation on behalf of the charity, thanking the drivers for their generosity.
“Your contribution will help fund vital research and provide support to those battling the disease,” Ralph said, highlighting the charity’s dual focus on scientific advancement and patient care.
Present at the ceremony were club chairman Eifion Evans, secretary Mark Beynon‑Evans and membership secretary John Nash, each of whom played a part in organising the event.
The National Vintage and Engine Club, a predominantly male association of classic‑engine enthusiasts, used the occasion to raise awareness that men can also be affected by breast cancer.
Members expressed surprise at the statistic that men account for roughly one per cent of all breast‑cancer diagnoses, prompting a broader conversation about early detection.
“It was eye‑opening to learn that breast cancer isn’t just a women’s issue,” said one participant, who preferred to remain unnamed.
Breast Cancer Now, the beneficiary of the funds, is a leading UK charity that funds research into the causes and treatment of breast cancer while offering practical support to patients and families.
The £1,100 donation will be allocated to the charity’s ongoing clinical trials and counselling services, according to information supplied by the organisation.
Local residents who watched the tractors trundle through the countryside praised the volunteers for their perseverance in adverse weather.
“Seeing those old machines chugging along in the rain was a real morale boost for the community,” a farmer from nearby Haverfordwest remarked.
The event also attracted a modest crowd of onlookers who lined the narrow lanes, cheering the drivers and snapping photographs of the colourful procession.
Club secretary Mark Beynon‑Evans noted that the turnout exceeded expectations, especially given the unpredictable Welsh weather.
He added that the success of the fundraiser will encourage the club to plan similar charitable drives in the future, potentially expanding to other parts of Wales.
Organisers hope that the visibility of the event will inspire more men to engage with breast‑cancer awareness campaigns and consider regular health checks.
With the cheque now in the hands of Breast Cancer Now, the South West Wales group looks forward to its next venture, confident that community spirit and vintage machinery can make a tangible difference.