Bishopscourt tractor run and fun day raises £2750 for Marie Curie Cancer Care
The sun was shining at Bishopscourt Racetrack on Sunday as the family and friends of the late Desi Devlin gathered to raise vital funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Desi, who had been an architect and a builder, was well know in the Castlewellan and Ballyhornan areas and passed away on 24th September 2023 suffering from lung cancer.
His wife Joy said: “I would just like to thank everyone who has made such a success of the event. There were around 50 tractors in the tractor run around Killard and Ballyhornan.
“It was great to see the support from everyone. So thank you all again on behalf of the family and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
“And a special thank you to Marie Cure for the care they gave to Desi in his last days. They were wonderful at that difficult time.
“Also I’d like to thank my daughter Stella and her husband Richard and grandchildren Adam, Rachael, Joshua, Caleb, Aoibh, Eimear for organising the whole day.”
One of the sisters, Stella (Keown) with her husband Richard and children organised the event and Stella said: “It was quite an amazing turnout of tractors.
“It was so good of everyone to give up their time to support this event today. Our whole family really appreciate that.
CHECK OUT THE DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK PHOTOS ON THE TRACTOR RUN In MEMORY OF DESI
“As a family we spent a lot of time visiting Ballyhornan – it’s a home from home.”
Desi’s six daughters – Stella, Gabrielle, Collette, Jacqueline, Loretta and Katrina – and his son Maurice were in attendance on the day supporting the event.
Stella added: “Our dad would have been delighted with the support for the tractor run event… it was for a great cause.”
In the build up to the tractor run which went round the roads of Kilclief and Bishopscourt, a Brennan’s Ice Cream van was kept very busy while children (and adults) had their faces painted – some with the Marie Curie logos.
And a mobile food trailer provided the fish and chips for those that were on the peckish side.
The raffle too drew raised a good sum of money and Joy again thanked everyone for donating prizes and buying tickets.
Racing track owner Roy Bickerstaff said: “It’s great that the sun is shining today and that the family are enjoying themselves.
“The racetrack welcomes events such as this. It is a safe venue off the road and a good assembly and meeting point, and we are happy to support our local communities.”
After the tractor run the family and friends went back to the Cable Bar in Ballyhornan and had a BBQ later on with live music.
CHECK OUT THE DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK PHOTOS ON THE TRACTOR RUN In MEMORY OF DES
