Just one of the stunning Ferguson 35 tractors on show. More photos below story.

PHOTOS: Ballymore community gets behind playground bid

Published: Fri 24 Aug 2018, 1:11 PM

Last updated: Fri 24 Aug 2018, 2:22 PM

Following the success of a recent fundraising tractor run held in Ballymore, Vinny McCormack, chairman of the Ballymore Playground Committee, is confident that the group will meet their fundraising targets in the months ahead. “As a committee we were thrilled with the response to our tractor run which raised just over €2000 towards the development of our playground.

“This was beyond all of our expectations and we would like to thank all of those who took part, helped out and supported the event in any way. We would particularly like to thank Joe Kilmurray and Anthony Kenny for organising the event locally. Ballynacargy Vintage Club along with the Lakeland Vintage Club did a great job in working out the logistics and providing great marshal cover on the day.

We would also like to thank Noel and Breda Cuffe for their generosity in providing refreshments for all the participants afterwards.”

Fifty-Eight tractors of all vintage and variety took part in the run, which set off from the Community Centre in Ballymore and travelled via Streamstown, Rosemount and Moate before returning to High Street, Ballymore.

Vinny said: “We have recently launched our main fundraising venture, which is a super draw with a ride-on lawnmower as the main prize, followed by numerous cash prizes.

“Tickets for this draw are going really well so far and we are continuing to distribute them to sellers in the area. Our fundraising target to complete the playground is somewhere in the region of €20,000.

“We have already made great strides towards this figure through the generosity of the wider community and we hope to reach this figure early in the new year.”

The application for funding support is currently progressing with LEADER and Vinny is hopeful that there will be positive news on this front shortly.

“We have been in touch with officials from LEADER in the last couple of weeks and it seems that everything is fully in order with our application thanks to the hard work of Liz McDermott and Sandra O’Hara.

“Hopefully we will have confirmation of leader funding within the next couple of weeks which will pave the way for works to start on site.”

Junior tractor run participants (from left) Darragh Molloy, Eliza Mallon, Layla Fahey, Rian McKnight, Lillie Molloy, Charlie Molloy, Michaela Rooney, Sadbh McDermott, Ethan Molloy, Amber Ledwith, Odhrán McDermott, Cari Maloney, Callum Maloney, Sonny Molloy and Kate Mallon.

Emily and Tom Ennis, Ballymore, enjoying the tractor run organised in support of the local playground fund.

Lenny and Darragh (3) Clavin having a look at the machinery.

Hard at work (from left) Lorna Molloy, Amber and Tracey Ledwith, with the fundraising committee, Annette Dunican, Liz McDermott (secretary), Bernie Moran, Sinéad Phelan (treasurer).