Banbury Tractor Run Nears £100,000 Target

The tenth Banbury Christmas Tractor Run has raised £93,000 for Katharine House Hospice, with organisers appealing for public support to help reach a £100,000 fundraising target.

Thousands of spectators lined the streets of Banbury and surrounding villages across north Oxfordshire on Saturday 13 December to watch 100 festively decorated tractors complete a 20-mile route from Spring Hill Farm in Barford St Michael. More than 500 people also followed the event online via a live stream provided by A. Corbett Services.

Organisers say reaching the £100,000 target would have a major impact on the hospice, which operates 365 days a year. The funding could support inpatient care, community nursing services, or help cover essential running costs, including food and specialist palliative care provision.

Roseann Thompson, Community Engagement Manager at Katharine House Hospice, said: “We are overwhelmed by the support we had for the Tractor Run from all the spectators on the night, support from our local community and local businesses. As our tenth event, we wanted to raise £100,000 this year to support the vital work of Katharine House Hospice, which costs £5.9m each year to run. We’ve already had some generous donations and, if you can help us reach this target, we would be so grateful.”

Jennie Steenkamp from RC Baker, founder and co-organiser of the Tractor Run, added: “The view from the tractor cab was simply incredible. The crowds were amazing, waving and cheering, and adding so much atmosphere to the event. The effort and creativity farmers pour into their tractors is truly inspiring; some of these magnificent creations reflect years of dedication, with many participants having been with us since we started back in 2016.

The live stream recording of the Tractor Run is available on the Katharine House website, where people can also make a donation towards the hospice: www.khh.org.uk/tractor