Chew Valley Tractor Express
The Chew Valley Tractor Run was originally started back in 2020 in the village of Stanton Drew, Bristol. It was sad to think that my 1 year old son wouldn't get to see Santa for the first time on top of isolation that was keeping a lot of us away from our families and friends. After a conversation with a good friend who has a tractor...the wheels started to turn, some great people came together and braved the elements and a socially distanced tractor run took place, the response was immense!
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Our team has grown each year and we are very excited to announce that LANLEY EVENTS LTD has been formed, this is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the Chew Valley community through our fundraising events. Our team is made up of passionate individuals who believe in making a difference. We create opportunities for people to come together and support one another while having fun and spreading joy.
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2024 – Christmas Eve Tractor Run
This year on Christmas Eve we will be raising funds for a cause very close to the hearts of our very own Mr & Mrs Claus. Anything we raise will be used towards supporting those who have served our country. This will be the RMA & Dundry legion who have so graciously offered to supply meals in their restaurant for any veterans or those still serving within the Chew Valley Area. Dundry Legion will host an event in Jan/Feb time, this will also include the families of veterans who are no longer with us, here they will get to spend time with like minded people in a warm and sociable environment, they will get to have food, socialise, play skittles. If we manage to raise enough we can also provide entertainment. Its sure to be an evening to remember. If you or anyone you know would like to attend this event please email us at chewvalleytractorexpress@yahoo.com.
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Previous Years...
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2020 - Christmas Eve Tractor Run
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In our first year we didn't necessarily set out to raise money, that said we had very generous donations of almost £800 towards the NHS.
2021 - Christmas Eve Tractor Run
In the latter part of 2021 Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club set out to help raise funds for a specialised wheelchair for Edie Browne. Edie was a 10-year-old girl who lives in Chew Stoke, Bristol, and has several health issues. Through crowdfunding on the GlobalGiving platform the Club Chelwood Rotary were able to raise £2,237. In addition, we were able to raise a further remarkable £1,440 and gave Edie the thrill of riding with Santa in his sleigh. These funds together with donations from other local Rotary Clubs and monies raised by Edie’s parents, Jason and Sharon, enabled the family to purchase the all-terrain wheelchair and all the fittings. The wheelchair was ordered in December but only arrived during April. Edie was thrilled and excited with her new wheels. Rotarian Rob Taylor, from Chelwood Bridge Rotary, said “It has been a pleasure to help the family and it is all worth while seeing Edie, who despite all her health issues, is such a happy and joyful child. Thanks to Carrianne and Grace whose efforts at Christmas helped make this all possible.” Also a huge thank you to all those that donated.
2022 - Christmas Eve Tractor Run
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Held in memory of local man Phil Sidwick from Norton Malreward, we all manged to raise a whopping £3,200 which was split between Macmillan and Children's Hospice South West. For this event we had a fantastic show of tractors, with over 47 turning out. We also held a night glow at Chew Valley Animal Park.
2023 - Fun Day
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In August we attended a Fun Day held for 4 year old Issac who was battling Cancer, this young man has a tractor obsession so we had some lovely volunteers who agreed to come out and show their support...and certainly brightened his day!
2023 - Christmas Eve Tractor Run
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The Christmas Eve Tractor Express was honoured this year to be taking place in memory of such a wonderful woman, Ami Millard. Before Ami passed she was a huge part in deciding how this years donations would be used. It was her wish that this year we use your donations to provide bespoke bereavement training in schools, we now have over 35 signed up in the local area. This will give them the skills and confidence they need to help support the children and young people in their care. At the request of the family any donations raised above the cost of the training was to be gifted to the dedicated work of St Peters Hospice, who go above and beyond for the people in their care. With your help we managed to raise £6040.00!!
2024 - Easter Bunny Run
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The Easter Bunny Run was born! now to be held each year on Good Friday. This Good Friday (29th March) we brought awareness and raised some funds for a the fantastic Hidden Valley Bush Craft based in the Chew Valley. They have now become the victims of NUMEROUS counts of CRIMINAL DAMAGE at their Pensford site, which is just unacceptable!! Alongside providing a wide variety of activities involving wilderness living skills, survival and outdoor education they provide a residential programme of therapeutic activities for armed forces personnel, veterans and members of the emergency services who suffer from a physical disability or mental health condition. On this event we managed to raise £660.00.
​2024 – Ploughmans Lunch
With the help of volunteers and Stanton Drew Village Hall lending us a giant marquee we were able to launch the new initiative “Ami’s Gift” enabling us to provide bespoke bereavement training in schools and for anyone working within the childcare industry. Here we set out to supply lunch for 80 people and ended up selling 100 tickets. With your help we raised £1,413.00! enough for a full days training for 30 people.
2024 – Halloween Masquerade Ball
A HUGE thank you to Aldwick Estate for a truly fantastic evening, serenaded by the wonderful Dennis Demille, spectacular magic from Adrian Pritchard and the brilliant DJ Richard Pearce. A great turnout of over 80 people who helped us to raise £1,798.00 to go towards Ami’s Gift.
Christmas Eve Tractor Express hosts fundraising events in and around the Chew Valley area to help support the local community. We believe in the power of giving and create opportunities for people to come together and make a difference. Join us in spreading joy and making a positive impact by participating in our upcoming events.