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Alastair Dixon, our Argyllshire Agricultural Sales Manager, was only too delighted to take part in a North Uist Charity Tractor Run which raised over £5000 in memory of islander Ellie MacDonald, who sadly lost her brave battle with cancer in 2014 aged just 23.
Alastair and Angus with his Valtra tractors!
The rally, which took place on Saturday 28th May was organised by Joan Ferguson of the North Uist Agricultural Society in collaboration with Ellie’s parents Angus and Michelle MacDonald who founded the charity ‘1 Million Miles for Ellie’ after their daughter’s passing.
The charity, which raises money for Cancer Research UK, Maggie’s Centres and MacMillan Cancer Support, was founded with the goal of completing A Million Miles for Ellie in a Million Minutes to raise a million pounds for those touched by cancer.
As loyal customers of Hamilton Brothers, the MacDonald family have shown the company much support and in turn, we were only too willing to get involved in the tractor rally to help raise awareness of their wonderful cause.
Alastair was one of 50 drivers who each donated £10 to join the mile long convoy around the island. The rally was led by Angus MacDonald in his vintage Massey Ferguson 65 and Alastair was part of the many that followed in Angus’s latest Hamilton Brothers tractor, a blue Valtra N143. Also on show from Angus’s collection was his Valtra N113 H3.
Occasionally stopping en route to help older models cool off, donations poured in along the way by hundreds of supporters who lined the route and a phenomenal £1200 was donated by spectators at Clachan alone!
Proud to represent Hamilton Brothers on the day, Alastair said:
“The event was really well organised and I’m not surprised we raised £5,200 on the day! It was fantastic to see so many tractors of all makes, models and ages winding their way round the island. Count me in folks for the next North Uist rally!”
The rally formed part of a fun filled day at Hosta showground with stalls and refreshments provided by local businesses, a raffle, several games, home baking, arts and crafts and an evening ceilidh. Just like Ellie, the day was definitely one in a million.
Find out more about the North Uist Charity Tractor Run and any up and coming events or to donate to 1 Million Miles for Ellie.
