Tractor run in Ballitore to raise funds for local charities

Vintage tractors will be the order of the day at the much loved Jimmy Byrne Annual Vintage Run in Ballitore later this month.

The event in aid of the NCBI and other local charities is a firm fixture in the Kildare calendar and will take place on July 22 and 23.

Family fun is in store over the weekend festivities two days including live music on the streets, fancy dress, line dancing, bouncing castles, pony rides and face painting.

A delicious BBQ will add to the party atmosphere.

A hard working committee, spearheaded by Jimmy Byrne himself who lost his sight ten years ago, is ensuring that the event goes off to plan.

Cora McEvoy, Committee Secretary says “This is the fifth year of the event and we feel that is a milestone all of its own. The support from the local people and business is just wonderful and community spirit is alive and well in Ballitore”.

“We are working hard to make sure there is something for everybody to enjoy over the weekend and people are generous as they know the money is going to excellent causes. I would urge people to get out and support us, have the craic in the knowledge that they are helping hard working charities like the NCBI do more to support people who are blind and vision impaired”.

The Jimmy Byrne Annual Vintage Run gets underway on Saturday 22nd July at 6pm with a duck race in the River Greese .

Blind charity to benefit 

There are 1,870 blind and visually impaired people in Co Kildare.

NCBI is the national charity working for the rising number of people affected by sight loss in Ireland.

The majority of people using NCBI services have some remaining vision.

There are currently 51,718 people with impaired vision in Ireland and this number is rising. (according to Census 2011).