The Pink Ladies’ Tractor Run issues rallying cry for women to get onboard

A rallying cry has gone out for more women and their tractors to join a summer spectacle that has become a festival of colour, while raising huge sums of money for charity.

This year’s Pink Ladies’ Tractor Run, which is in its 21st year, is set to take place on Sunday, July 6.

Organised by Annie Chapman, the annual event has raised £1.2 million in aid of Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal since it first took to the roads in 2004.

Each year, thousands of people line the 20-mile route through south Norfolk and north Suffolk, cheering on the Pink Ladies’ convoy of decorated tractors in towns, villages, laybys and gardens.

Mrs Chapman said: “What an amazing achievement for a bunch of ladies on tractors to have raised more than £1 million in 20 years for Cancer Research UK for breast cancer research.

“But cancer has not gone away so we must continue to raise funds for this very worthwhile cause.

“Entries are starting to come in for this year’s run already and I am getting a lot of enquiries from new ladies, which is very encouraging.”

The route starts at Thorpe Abbotts airfield before heading through Thorpe Abbotts, Brockdish and Upper Weybread, arriving in Harleston at about 12.30pm, before stopping for lunch between 1pm and 3pm at Gawdy Hall Meadow, Redenhall, to which everyone is invited to take a picnic lunch.

The route back to Thorpe Abbotts airfield then heads through Pulham St Mary, Rushall and Langmere Green.

Each year, about a quarter of the women taking part are new, with many having never driven a tractor before.

One of those this year is Amy Hoddy, from Stradbroke.

“My husband and son run the Mariners Galley Cafe in Rushall and I have watched the Pink Ladies Tractor Run pass the cafe for the past two years,” she said. “I kept saying I would love to take part.

“At Christmas time, the cafe did a raffle to raise money for the Pink Ladies and we made almost £500.

“That is when I spoke to Annie about taking part. I do not own a tractor and have never driven one, but she found someone who is loaning me a 1958 Massey Ferguson.

“I am absolutely blown away that I am going to be a pink lady. Everyone talks about what an incredible event it is, so to take part is a real honour.

“I already have plans for driving practice and am looking for all things pink and glittery for both my tractor and myself.”

In recognition of her efforts, last year, Mrs Chapman was made a honorary fellow of Cancer Research UK at the charity’s national Flame of Hope awards.

Mrs Chapman, from Pulham St Mary, said the fundraiser came from an idea 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 a couple of friends and organised a poster and sent it out to everyone I could think of.

“One of the women I rang had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, so we decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK’s research into breast cancer and it snowballed from there.”

To enter or donate or join up, go to ladiestractorroadrun.c.uk. Entries close on May 17.

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