A Laois secondary school hosted its annual charity tractor run on Friday February 4.
A total of seventeen tractors converged on the scenic Knockbeg College grounds from Laois, Carlow and Kildare in support of Embrace Farm.
Students also organised a non-uniform day and bucket collection to raise much needed funds for the worthy cause.
Embrace FARM is a farming organisation which was founded by Brian and Norma Rohan, a farming family from Shanahoe, County Laois in 2014.
Brian and his wife Norma with extended family lost his father Liam Rohan to a sudden farm accident in 2013.
Liam Rohan, in his full and healthy life, was a popular and respected farmer and represented Ireland many times at World Ploughing Championships.
Liam suffered a severe blow to his head while carrying out repair work on machinery and sadly died many days later.
Like most farming families the Rohan’s experienced great and invaluable support from neighbours and friends but were surprised to find that there was little or no emotional or practical support networks available to farm families suffering such loss.
After researching, their aim was to set up a support network for farm families who, like them, have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury in a farming accident.
Embrace FARM obtained its fully charitable status in 2017 and is now fully operational as a not-for-profit organisation, the first of it’s kind for the farming community in Ireland.
The organisation is guided and controlled by a voluntary Board of Directors. This includes representatives from families who have bereaved family members or suffered injuries due to farm accidents, as well as professionals working in the agricultural sector.
Embrace FARM remembers those who have lost their lives, have been injured, supports survivors of farm accidents, their family members friends and the wider community through an annual ecumenical service held in Abbyleix every June.
Through their new charitable status, Embrace FARM will be offering several networking and fundraising events for the people they support in their network as well as growing awareness for the organisation within the agri-sector.
A spokesperson for the event said: “Well done to all involved, and many thanks to those who kindly donated on the day.
“A special mentions to chief organisers this year, David Fennelly and Oisin Byrne, who ensured everything ran smoothly.”
Past pupil Kevin Lambe put together a video together for the Annual Charity Tractor Run.
Check it and some great pictures from the day out below:
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