Bright future for Eye Christmas Lights Tractor Run after first event

Tractors of all shapes and sizes brightened up the day on the first Eye Christmas Lights Tractor Run.

Around 38 tractors and support vehicles met at Eye Airfield on Saturday before the convoy went to Horham, Stradbroke, Hoxne, Brome, Diss, Palgrave, Mellis and Yaxley.

The fundraising event was organised by Steve Coe, with the help of his daughter Shanii, in just under three weeks.

“I am am over the moon about how it went, it was fantastic considering the short time we threw it together,” said Mr Coe.

“We were hoping for about 15 tractors and we did not think we would even get that on such short notice, so for so many people to came out to support us was really great.”

The event was set up to raise money for YANA, the rural mental health charity.

Mr Coe, who works for Adrian Wingfield at Stradbroke, added: “I have had an idea to do something around Christmas in my head for about 15 years.

“When I was living in Rickinghall, before I moved to Yaxley, I wanted to do a Santa run but that never happened.

“Then when we failed to get on the Suffolk Tractor Light Parade at Campsea Ashe in December, I decided we should our own.”

The run has raised more than £2,000 for the charity that helps those in agriculture and rural businesses affected by stress and depression.

“I want to thank everyone who donated, it was just so emotional and overwhelming,” said Mr Coe.

“A big thank you to all the tractor drivers, the traffic road crew and my son Richard who was running them and my other son, James, who was our tail-end Charlie on the run, keeping everything tight.

“We hope to make next year’s run even bigger and better.”