Charity Tractor Run Raises £6,900 For NHS In Memory Of Preston Boy

Charlie’s Convoy, A tractor run, dedicated to the memory of a five-year-old Inskip boy who lost a long-fought battle with a brain tumour

The run went past the home Charlie shared with his family as it trundled through Catforth, Treales, Roseacre, Elswick and Great Eccleston.

326 vehicles participated in the run, a mix of tractors, diggers, wagons, vintage and military vehicles. All were decorated in blue, Charlie’s favourite colour.

Organiser Bryan Eccleston, who is hoping the run will become an annual charity event, was delighted with the response to Charlie’s Convoy:

“The response from people was just fantastic. Charlie touched everyone’s heart. Our hope was that Charlie would have been there to watch the convoy but sadly, it wasn’t to be. When we reached his house, we gave his parents flowers and a framed commemorative t-shirt that we had made.”

Bryan, of Inskip, who was helped by partner Jilly and friend Leigh O’Reilly, led the convoy in his digger, which he drives for his day job, helping out on the family farm at weekends and when needed. Leigh followed in his tractor. Other drivers had come from throughout Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire to join procession in tribute to Charlie.

The run’s donation to the Children’s Appeal will help pay for a shopping list of items to make children’s wards, outpatients and other paediatric treatment areas at the Royal Preston Hospital less scary for the 10,000 babies and young people annually, aged from one day to 19 years, who attend for check-ups and treatment.

Fundraising Manager Roya Armstrong expressed the charities thanks for the fundraising efforts:

“We are extremely grateful to Bryan, Jilly and Leigh for supporting Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity’s Children’s Appeal with this incredible event and choosing us as a charity to support alongside the Brain Tumour Charity in memory of Charlie.

“Putting on an event of this size takes a lot of effort and commitment and gratitude extends to everyone in the community who helped to make the event happen.”