'Fergy and the Lake' tractor run raises €16k for Jack and Jill Foundation
A novel tractor run, 'Fergy and the Lake', involving Ferguson 20s and grey-gold 35s and held around Lough Derg, raised €16,000 for the Jack and Jill Foundation, which provides support for children with complex medical needs in Ireland.
Chris Lanigan of the tractor run organising committee said:"We had a great selection of tractors, a wide variety of 20s in almost all formats: petrol engines; petrol/TVO engines; diesel engines; and Perkins P3 engine conversions.
"They came in all kinds of condition, with some immaculately restored to better than original, some with original worn paint and one or two that despite wearing a generous coat of lichen and signs of previous abandonment, ran flawlessly to complete the 112km route without any issue.
"There were even a number of drivers who completed the route on tractors that were bought new into their family farm when they were children and remain in their possession to this day.
"We had approximately 10 FE35 gold belly 35s and just over 60 TE20s."
One visually striking entry was the TEF20 and living van of Paul Palmer from Co. Kilkenny, who completed the Ferguson 20/32 Challenge in 2018 when he travelled through all 32 counties for charity.
Another was the TEF20 and stunning 1932 barrel-top wagon of Myles Williams from Co. Antrim. Both drew a lot of interest, no matter whether standing still or on the move.
"The real star of the show was tractor #1, a 1954 Ferguson TEF20 owned by Seán Kenny," Chris said.
"Seán bought the tractor in a very poor state and completely rebuilt it for this run and documented his journey through his TikTok channel."
Seán and Aidan Kenny
Seán's motivation was to build the tractor in memory of his son, Aidan, who became unwell at the age of two with an illness that within six weeks of diagnosis resulted in him becoming paralysed and requiring feeding through a plastic tube.
The Jack and Jill Foundation stepped in following this devastating turning point in Aidan's young life.
"It provided the family with 12 hours of nursing care in their home every week which gave not only huge support and reassurance to the family but also allowed Seán and his wife Deirdre the opportunity to be parents to their other children, Darren and Emma," Chris explained.
This care was provided by nurse Zelda who cared for Aidan and supported the family for three years until Aidan passed away at just five years-of-age.
"The care shown by nurse Zelda and support provided by Jack and Jill lit a fire in Seán that saw him defy all odds and rebuild a tractor that only started for the first time at 3:00pm on the day before the run after a hectic final week of the build," Chris said.
"This first start-up was captured on video and shared in the committee group chat and Tiktok.
"It was a moment of raw emotion and was impossible not to feel proud of Seán and what he had achieved in Aidan's name."
"The tractor successfully completed the run in its striking grey and orange livery, and was the first tractor to leave and to return to the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna, "cheered on by a very proud Deirdre, Darren and Emma", Chris added.
Jack and Jill Foundation
He explained that the Jack and Jill Foundation lists the cost of nursing care at its funding campaigns at €18 per hour.
"So €16,000 equates to approximately 889 hours of vital in-home nursing care, respite and end-of-life care," Chris said.
"Right now Jack and Jill is supporting 473 children and their families across Ireland and the donation will help to continue delivering care where it matters most, in the family home."
The money was raised at the event through driver entry fees, bucket collections along the route, a timed wheel change competition at a number of vintage shows prior to the run, various donations, and a small auction in Seymour's bar on the night of the stopover in Portroe.
The run, originally thought up by Ivan Mullen of the Ballinasloe and District Vintage Club, was a resounding success.
Just over 70 tractors and drivers - and one dog - from 18 counties took to the road that morning under the watchful eye of the road crew led by John Salmon.
"Day 1 saw the drivers head out in overcast weather, which soon turned to heavy rain but it didn't dampen anyone's spirits.
"A number of quick stops along the way to stretch legs and a short stop for food and a warm drink in Tuamgraney saw us through to Portroe, arriving around 5.00pm," said Chris.
Portroe Vintage Club supplied a "well-earned meal" and secure parking, followed by the auction in Seymour's Bar later that evening.
Day 2 kicked off with breakfast provided again by the Portroe Vintage Club and saw drivers hitting the road at 10.00a.m and heading up along the east side of Lough Derg. The first stop was in Ballycommon village.
This was followed by a short stop in Terryglass and onto the final leg of the journey back to Portumna.
"All drivers and tractors made it back safely to finish what was a throughly enjoyable event.
"A special thank you from the organising committee to all the drivers, road crew, the various vintage clubs and businesses that helped to make the event the huge success it was," Chris added.
The organising committee expressed appreciation to everyone who donated and turned out to see the event.
"Without this support we would not have been able to raise the much needed funds for such a wonderful charity," they said.
The committee also recorded its gratitude to the management and staff of the Irish Workhouse Centre - which will host the 2026 national famine commemoration on Saturday, May 16 - for allowing it to use the site as a base for the run.
"Given the success of the event and feedback from entrants and the fantastic figure of €16,000 raised, discussions are already happening about a potential follow-up event," Chris said.
