Ann to keep on tractoring

The woman behind the extraordinarily successful ‘Mac & Norman’s Vintage Rally’ has decided to continue with the event that has raised hundreds of thousands of euros for cancer research.

“I had thought I’d retire from it after this year,” says Ann Sully, of Kennycourt. “But after getting the Kildare Person of the Year nomination, and seeing the success yet again of this year’s event, I can’t really quit now.”

The drive, which brings together an eclectic mix of old and new tractors, vintage and veteran cars and an assortment of motorcycles, this year raised over €41,000 for the Irish Cancer Society. The total raised in the six years of the event now stands at more than €200,000.

“We’re very pleased with the way it went this year, especially given the economic situation,” Ann says. “In fact, I was very surprised at the number of individual donations of €500 which came through.”

The rally is accepted amongst the vintage tractor fraternity as one of the top three of the dozen or so such events which are held around the country every year.

“The people who come to ours might also just do the Hillbillies, or the Glen event, but that’s it. They just like coming to ours.”

Preparations are in train for next year’s rally, which will be held on the 16th of August 2009. It is being envisaged as a Fun Day, with less of an emphasis on getting people involved in its support.

“With the times that are in it, we’ll just have a day out and whatever money we get, that’ll be fine. We don’t want to put any pressure on people.”

In addition to Ann herself, the committee members include her husband Mac, Norman Eagar, John Kennedy, Dermot Fitzgerald, Tommy Dillon and Ger Markey.

The Vintage Drive was originally planned as a once-off to raise funds for cancer research, but then it took a life of its own.

“There’s a lot of work involved, both coming up to it and afterwards, but I get a great buzz out of it. Meeting the same people year after year, we’re all old friends at this stage. And I suppose, since I started driving my own tractor, it keeps me even more involved.”

When a cheque for €41,500 was handed over recently to Kevin Delaney from the Irish Cancer Society, Kevin said that the Tractor Rally was ‘one of the society's biggest fundraisers’ throughout the year.

Brian Byrne.