Intrepid tractor and truck drivers braced the weather to ensure that the popular illuminated Christmas run from Lockerbie to Dumfries and back went ahead.
A record 282 vehicles took part and it’s thought that more £15,000 has been raised again for the Neonatal Unit at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary – although the confirmed full total will be announced shortly.
Three previous years of the incredible festive feat have already raised a whopping £28,850 combined.
Supporters were keen to help again with tractor and truck drivers in their decorated vehicles turning up at the Lockerbie auction mart for the send off.
And many local businesses and organisations also played an important role in helping make the magic happen.
However, it was the incredible support from the public and everyone who took part which has struck a chord with organiser, Ryan Muir.
Thanking everyone involved, he said: “I’m literally just overwhelmed and physically and mentally drained from the support and love shown by absolutely everyone.
“I absolutely loved as we drove along the route being cheered on by the thousands.”
He added: “We pushed on after waking up and everything was covered in snow. My phone was going non-stop with people warning me roads were treacherous. However, I was constantly watching the forecast and as I splashed my way through the snow and slush setting up, it was becoming clearer that it was melting and rain was washing it away. This made me feel that there would still be a lot of snow in places and there would be people who wouldn’t make it and it might not be as big as the year before.
“Anyway – we did it. We had 282 vehicles in attendance – that’s 27 more than the year before.”
Ryan – who is Lockerbie’s newly-named Bev Parish Community Person Of The Year – and his wife, Becky, were 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 13 weeks early – and it prompted them to 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 was dedicated in “her loving memory”.
Ryan said: “As everyone knows this year has been really rough after watching our mum, wife, nana and friend battle cancer then sadly pass away. I genuinely lost my best friend.
“This fundraiser wasn’t just something she loved, it was something me and mum loved doing together. It will truly be one of my best memories getting to do the first three years of this with her, and I’m sure she was here in spirit on the night as she managed to drain the power from the generator to show us a sign she was around right before we were due to leave.
“However, we refuelled and got on our way, and I’m sure she would have been watching it all and proud of everyone’s efforts.”
Ryan also said: “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.”
Supporters can still donate at the online link at: www.justgiving.com/page/light-up-neontal-dgri, which adds to the total raised.