Cancer Research UK praises ‘phenomenal’ Pink Ladies Tractor Run for topping £120,000

This year’s Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run raised more than £120,000, it has been revealed.

At a cheque presentation to Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal, organisers handed over £127,150.

The first Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run took place in 2004 and this year’s collection takes the total raised by the event to more than £1.2 million.

On July 7 this year, 178 tractors swathed in pink travelled a 20-mile route through south Norfolk and north Suffolk.

Organiser Annie Chapman said: “Much to my amazement, we had a stunning number of entries this year.

“I really thought the numbers would drop back as last year was such a special event, with the 20th anniversary and the incentive to surpass £1 million.

“Despite slightly inclement weather, it only really rained at lunchtime, and we actually had a great run.

“Thank you to everybody for whatever you have done for this tractor run. None of it would happen without a full team effort.”

At the celebratory evening, Mrs Chapman, from Pulham St Mary, was joined by fellow participant Dawn Briggs, who presented the cheque to Sophia France, from Cancer Research UK.

Before presenting the cheque, Ms Biggs said: “I have driven in the Pink Ladies Tractor Run since 2007 and I have always known it was a worthwhile and important cause.

“However, last year, it was brought home to me in the worst possible way, when my daughter, Julie, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“The chemotherapy was targeted at the type of breast cancer she had. Through the research that Cancer Research is able to do and the money we raise helps pay for, they were able to pinpoint the cancer and give her the right type of drug to target it and, hopefully, eradicate it.

“That is why we should continue to drive our pink tractors every year so more and more people will be like my brave and beautiful daughter and be beautiful, brave survivors.”

During this year’s tractor run, thousands of people lines the route, cheering on the entrants in towns, villages, laybys and gardens.

Houses and businesses were bedecked in pink bunting, banners and flags and many supporters were dressed head-to-toe in pink along the route.

On receiving the cheque for Cancer Research UK, Ms France said: “All of the research we do could not happen without people like you – every single one of you.

“Every single penny you raise and every single minute you take out of your day to fundraise really helps.

“You make all of our progress possible. You should be really proud of yourselves because this is a phenomenal amount of money. Thank you so much.”

In March, Mrs Chapman was made an honorary fellow of Cancer Research UK at the charity’s national Flame of Hope Awards.

Speaking to the Diss Express afterwards, she said the idea for the tractor run came about in 2003.

“My husband, John, and I were trying to think of what I could do when I retired,” she said.

“He suggested a tractor run for ladies; it’s a strong movement countrywide, but it was mostly men raising money.

“I rang friends and one of the ladies had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, so we decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK and it snowballed from there.”