Nick Clancey, Malcolm Porter, Sam Sharp and Roy White provided their tractors for the 24 hour tractorthon.
While the dust had not yet settled from the Balloon Challenge, last weekend saw Central West Charity Tractor Trek group host their annual twenty-four hour tractor marathon in aid of Little Wings. In its third year, the event had to be altered due to COVID regulations, with organisers restricting spectator numbers. Reduced numbers did not stop donations, which came through sponsorships for individual drivers. A raffle was held, with tickets sold on Gaskill Street and together the group raised $17,500.
Nick Cheney, who created the event in 2018, said the day went off without a hitch, despite some midnight rain.
“Two of our tractors do not have a roof and they were still driven by drivers throughout the rain,” Nick said. “The middle of the night is always a challenge just to keep the drivers awake. We change drivers every half hour and we have pit crews who keep it all safe.”
The event saw the Canowindra community come together to support the cause, with members of all three of Canowindra’s schools and the preschool taking part. The Lions Club catered the event for the full 24 hours, with everything from staple sausages to soup, cakes and the all important coffee.
While the charity was excited to raise money for Little Wings, the event was also an opportunity for the members to reunite. “It was the first real gathering of the group since COVID which was fantastic. It is not just a group — it is family to us.”