Hundreds of illuminated tractors and trucks are going on a fundraising road run on Saturday (November 23) to raise funds for the neonatal unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
They will snake their way from Lockerbie to Dumfries and back on an amazing fundraising marathon – the fourth to be held to help the special unit.
The Christmas fun starts at the Harrison and Hetherington cattle mart in Lockerbie at 2.30pm where there will be raffles and tombola plus other prize games and everyone joining in with their vehicle lit up in Christmas decorations will pay £20 (cash only). There is no pre-booking – just turn up. Trophies will be awarded for the best decorated.
The vehicles leave the mart at 5.30pm for the journey to the hospital via Dumfries and back. They are expected to reach Whitesands around 6pm to 6.30pm, returning for 9pm. There will be Police Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes in attendance.
It is again being organised again by dad-of-two, Ryan Muir and his wife Becky, of Johnstonebridge, who, earlier this year, handed over a magnificent £15,000 donation to delighted staff from last Christmas’ event, which has funded specialist equipment used to check jaundice levels in newborn babies specifically by community midwives when carrying out their checks on newborn babies at home.
Ryan – who was named on Saturday as the Bev Parish Community Person Of The Year and turned on Lockerbie’s Christmas lights – was inspired to help the ward where his daughter and niece were cared for when they were born prematurely.
Their daughter was born nine weeks early, and their niece thirteen weeks early, and it prompted them to start hold their first charity tractor run in 2020.
Ryan revealed that both his parents, who gave their support with the two previous road runs, were both diagnosed with cancer in the weeks running up to last year’s fundraiser but the family staunchly carried on.
Tragically, Carolyne Muir, died at the start of July and this year’s road run is in “her loving memory”.
Ryan said: “We are dedicating the run to our mum. She was a dedicated member of our cause for the neonatal where all proceeds raised will be going to help buy important equipment and training for the staff in the unit to help our little warriors.
“Giving something back to the Neonatal Unit means a lot to us as they go above and beyond to help, not just the babies but their families too. We also want to help babies born early and their families as we remember what a really hard time it was for us.”
As the vehicles will be moving slowly and in large numbers along the route, he said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and noise levels. We will have a rolling road closure permit ( TTRO) in place. We are doing this for a very good cause but at the same time we are very mindful of local residents to try do this effectively and efficiently.
“We advise anyone heading to work along this route to leave before the run starts or go the opposite way of the route to avoid being held back.”
And he also spoke at his delight at Lockerbie’s community person of the year: “I am very grateful to received this and it has actually made me very emotional as this year is our first year without our mum, Carol, and it was one of our favourite events to do together.
“I would like to thank everyone at Lockerbie Christmas Lights committee for choosing me. You guys did an amazing job filling the streets on Saturday with all the stalls full of entertainment for all to enjoy.”