Charity event returns for year two

Declan McCann (wearing Hospice t-shirt), Aidan McKay, and Joanne McEvoy with their children who are all involved in local sport.

Club is gearing up for its

second annual Tractor Run and Barbecue.

The success of last year’s inuagural event prompted the club to plough ahead with plans for 2014.

As with last year, the event is being staged in association with the Northern Ireland Hospice.

The tractor run and barbecue is to be held at Dromara GAC’s Castlewellan Road gounds on Saturday, August 23.

Tractors old and new, along with any participating vintage cars and other vehicles, are to assemble from 4pm with the run itself heading off at 5pm.

This year there will be some added attractions - among them tractor and trailer reversing and keg pushing.

“ Everyone is welcome and there will be a barbecue and refreshments available throughout the day,” a spokesperson said.

Dromara GAC Chairman Declan McCann, added: “We are excited about the Tractor Run and hope that it will be as successful as last year’s event.

“ We would love to see local people come along and have a great day out while supporting the work that the Northern Ireland Hospice does locally.”

NI Hospice Community Fundraiser, Deirdre Melly, said: “We are delighted that Dromara GAC have chosen to support Northern Ireland Hospice and what better way than to involve the local community.

“Our Community Nursing Team, based in Ballynahinch, provides emotional, practical, social and spiritual support to local people with serious illnesses, and their families, at a time when they need it most.

“We cannot do this without the support of the local community.

“It costs £6m each year to run our services in the community and in our Hospice, temporarily at Whiteabbey Hospital.

“We also still need to raise £2.6m in order to complete the rebuild of our Somerton Hospice in North Belfast. This new building, and the research and education that will be conducted here, will help us to shape the future of hospice care for the changing needs of our population, ensuring that patients with non-malignant diseases such as respiratory, dementia and neurological conditions receive the specialist care they deserve at the end of their life.”

For more information about the Dromra GAC event or more about the Northern Ireland Hospice, contact Deirdre Melly on 077 1137 7328 or email [email protected].