Tractor prize draw raises £13000 for charity
Over £13000 has been raised by members of BOAT (Bicton Overseas Agricultural Trust) since March this year.
The bright red Massey Ferguson 35 tractor was restored using Vapormatic parts in a 24 hour rebuild operation by Bicton College engineering students in March of this year. It is a 1963 multi power (change on the move high to low gearbox) model which makes it a rare and sought after by vintage tractor enthusiasts.
Tractor prize draw raises £13,000 for charity
Over £13,000 has been raised by members of BOAT (Bicton Overseas Agricultural Trust) since March this year.
The bright red Massey Ferguson 35 tractor was restored using Vapormatic parts in a 24 hour rebuild operation by Bicton College engineering students in March of this year. It is a 1963 multi power (change on the move high to low gearbox) model which makes it a rare and sought after by vintage tractor enthusiasts.
Raffle tickets for the little red tractor draw have been sold at various events up and down the country. The winning ticket belonged to an ecstatic Mrs. Mary Sims from Lincoln; she bought it at the National Ploughing Match in Lincolnshire in October. She said, "I’m over the moon to have won; I’ve been trying to win a BOAT tractor for several years now!"
The winning tickets were drawn at the Newark Vintage Tractor Show by Lord Plumb, a great supporter of BOAT and patron of the National Society of Ploughmen. Second prize of £250 went to young (13) Charlie Fox who was at the Newark show with his parents. He will be saving the money towards buying a tractor! Third prize of £100 comes back to North Devon for Mr. Arthur Bulled from Lower Pool Farm.
BOAT Chairman Bill Vellacott said, "Raising this fantastic amount of money has only been possible because of the support received selling tickets at the shows and of course that of our sponsors who make the whole event possible. Tractor & Machinery Magazine donated the tractor and has featured the rebuild in the magazine. The Vapormatic Company of Exeter provided thousand of pounds worth of parts and paint into the rebuild and also Firestone donated a complete set of new tyres. Thanks also of course for the expertise of Chris Jaworski and the Bicton College team of staff and students for their magnificent tractor restoration project, which makes the whole fundraising event possible."
The BOAT charity was set up by Devon farmers in 1991 and has provided support and training for over 100 lead trainers working in the developing world to improve the knowledge and training available for sustainable local farming practices. The amount raised will allow BOAT to make significant plans for 2011.