Memorial Tractor Run in memory of Stewartstown boy raises £15k for charity

Andrew McCrea (organiser) presenting the cheque to Alma and Rodney Davidson. With Grace, Calvin and Amy Davidson as well.

The organisers of the recent Oliver-James McCrea Memorial Tractor-run would like to thank all those who supported the weekend of events in memory of little Oliver-James.

Andrew and Laura-Jayne organised the event to celebrate the life of their son who very tragically passed away three years ago.

The proceeds of the weekend were in aid of the charity FAME (Friends of Africa Missionary Endeavour). This is a charity close to the McCrea family’s heart as there is a Christian Resource Centre in Kenya East Africa named in memory of Oliver James.

'The Diamond' (heifer) owned by Robert Millar (handler), Andrew McCrea (organiser), David Hammond, Paul Ellwood (HVS) and Richard Dallas being presented with a gift voucher for HVS Liquid Gold. David and Richard correctly guessed the weight of 674kg for the heifer.

Last year’s tractor-run was a big success, so much so that this years event was held, not as a fundraiser, but mainly to thank the community and give them an opportunity to meet the Davidson Family and let them see just how their money was used among the orphans.

The Fame Board of Directors would also like to thank all those who gave gifts and donations towards the total now exceeding £15,000, “This is a tremendous response and a great encouragement to us and to our Mission as we seek to serve the Lord there,” they said.

Over 200 tractors participated in the run and the events had the support of ‘The Grassmen’ who are well known throughout this island and further afield. Tractors came from all parts of the province including Maguiresbridge, Eglinton and Dunseverick. Loughbeg Garage was also in attendance with a dyno to test how powerful a tractor really is. There were a variety of stands also which greatly added to the event. In the evening a barbeque and hog-roast catered for by Jean McGuire and her faithful team fed the crowd which was around 1000.

A time of community praise was led by Rev William McCrea. Further ministry in song was brought by the Pathway Quartet and Caroline Jones. A Choir made up from past project team members who have visited and worked in the orphanage and medical centre made for a thoroughly blessed time for all.

Rodney Davidson addressed the crowd of more than six hundred people which remained to hear how the finances raised last year had impacted upon the lives in the orphanage of 178 children. Rodney also informed the people how those in Child Welfare Authority have requested Fame to open a unit for abandoned infants until adoptive parents are found for them.

The problem of child abandonment has grown acute in the Mwingi district and Rodney knows that having this new Unit will greatly enlarge our opportunities for evangelism through humanitarian means.

Alan and Irene Dunlop, founders of the mission could not be in attendance as they we en-route to Kenya to begin the New Infant Rescue Unit and have it ready for Rodney and Alma’s return to Kenya at the end of October.

If any would like to support the work in any capacity, Medical, Child sponsorship, Evangelism, feel free to contact Alan and Irene at the address below.

Once again a big “Thank You” to all the helped to make the weekend a success.