A Westport, Co. Mayo-based family has organised a virtual tractor rally in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
They are asking people, of all ages, to get involved by sending either videos or photos of their vehicles during lockdown to Brenda – [email protected].
How was the idea born?
“One Friday evening Brenda, my 31-year-old daughter, sat laughing at her phone for half-an-hour. I thought the lockdown had finally got to her, but she showed me the videos she was watching on the Tic Tok app.” explained Robbie McCarthy.
“After watching people like Tadhg and Derry Fleming and other hilarious videos, I decided I wanted to try one out.”
Whilst practicing social distancing, Robbie and his brother-in-law, John Richardson, made three videos.
“Whilst re-watching the videos, someone remarked that it looked like a personal tractor run and so the idea of the virtual tractor rally was born.” continued Robbie.
Collective effort
“This is not just for tractors though we want everyone to get involved big and small. Anything that moves can take place in this virtual rally.”
“We would like to see loads of children get out on to their favourite tractor or bike and do a few laps of their garden.”
On Saturday, May 9th at 2pm, all clips will be made into a sole video and live-streamed. “We will be starting off the live stream by holding our own family rally.”
Irish Cancer Society
“We then decided to do a fundraising element to it for Irish Cancer Society. We are asking people to donate by clicking here.”
They have chosen the Irish Cancer Society as “now, more than ever, they need support”. “The cancer charity only gets 2% funding from the government and rely on public donations.”
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, they have seen a 20% increase in their night nursing service. We need to come together now as a community and support cancer patients and their families.
“We would love to see everyone get involved in this fun initiative. So far, our youngest person to register is a 2-year-old and the oldest is an 82-year-old.”
“We may not be able to come together physically, but we will have one hell of a virtual gather,” McCarthy concluded.
Donate
To donate, click here.
