Vintage tractor quartet ready to rev
Four friends from Cork are set to drive the length of the UK on vintage tractors in May for an emergency medical response charity. Calling themselves the Irish Rovers, Kieran O'Donoghue, Paddy Ryan, Tom Fitzgerald, and James Keohane are set to cover 1,450 miles in 22 days.
All funds raised will be used to expand CRITICAL’s growing network of emergency medical responders in communities across Ireland. The charity is now operating in 20 counties in cities, towns and villages.
Their vintage tractor quartet, consisting of a 1952 Nuffield DM4, a 1964 Fordson Super Major, a 1984 Ford 7610, and a 1978 Leyland 2100, will set off from John o' Groats in Scotland and conclude their journey at Land’s End in England. The combined ages of both the tractors and their drivers totals an impressive 446 years. Notably, two of the tractors are without cabs meaning their drivers will have to brave the elements.
Tom Fitzgerald from Rathcormac said: “In 2022, we completed the Malin Head to Mizen Head challenge in memory of our dear friend Joe Butler. The UK run seemed like the natural progression for our next adventure. You get a unique vantage point travelling on a vintage tractor and really get to experience the countryside and all the elements. We’re taking the scenic route which means we’re also travelling a longer route. We estimate it will take us just over three weeks to complete. We will be keeping our supporters updated with videos and photos on our Facebook page throughout.”
The route will take the Irish Rovers through iconic landscapes, including the Scottish Highlands, the shores of Loch Ness, the foot of Ben Nevis, the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh, the Pennines, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District, the Malvern Hills, the Cotswolds, Bath, Stonehenge, Devon, and Cornwall.
The Irish Rovers will have a dedicated support crew accompanying them on the journey, including Declan Carey, Charles McCarthy, Lar Fanning and Donal O’Lochlainn.
Marie Kennedy, CRITICAL Community and Events Officer, said: “We are deeply moved by The Irish Rovers' commitment to our cause. Their support will go a long way in aiding our emergency medical response efforts across Ireland. We know that every minute counts during an emergency situation. “We have a growing network of volunteer doctors, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and community first responders who give up their time to attend calls in their local areas. Fundraisers like this and donations from the public allow us to provide these volunteers with the equipment they need to be able to respond quickly and potentially save lives.”
CRITICAL’s volunteers include more than 70 paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from the National Ambulance Service along with other qualified personnel who attend serious incidents and emergencies in their local areas when they are off duty. They have been provided with emergency backpacks which contain a defibrillator, a resuscitation kit and a medical diagnostic kit.
The charity’s network also includes consultants, specialists and GPs with significant experience in emergency medicine. The medics are based in Donegal, Mayo, Dublin, Kerry, Wicklow and Waterford.
It costs an average of €1,500 to provide an emergency backpack to an off-duty responder, €25,000 to establish an advanced level volunteer doctor in the community; and €120,000 to put a new Critical Care response vehicle on the road. You can follow the John o' Groats to Land's End Great Vintage Tractor Tour 2024 on Facebook or to make a donation, search for the great vintage tractor tour 2024 on idonate.ie.