The Covid-19 restrictions have forced the organisers of various charity events to think on their feet to continue their fundraising efforts.
Novel ideas and a virtual element to almost everything is now the order of the day.
And Castletown’s Patrick Kelly is the epitome of it.
A massage therapist, he has previously donated his day’s work on October 31 to the Irish Cancer Society, that being the anniversary of his mother Mai’s death in 2016 who died from the disease.
This year, however, is attempting to drive all around Laois in his 1960s Massey Ferguson, a trip of over 250km which will take him about 14 hours as his average speed is less than 20km/h.
To make it better, he’ll be dressed as batman, leaving Castletown at 6am and taking in Borris-in-Ossory, Ballaghmore, Camross, Clonaslee, Rosenallis, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Vicarstown, Stradbally, Graiguecullen, Crettyard, Ballinakill, Abbeyleix, Durrow, Cullohill, Rathdowney, Errill and back home to Castletown.
“One Tractor, one County, One Mission,” is the tagline on his fundraising material which he has called the ‘Halloween Tractor County Challenge’.
So, if you do see him on October 31, don’t be shocked at the sight of Batman in a Massey but give him a wave and donate if you can to what is a very worthy cause.
You can donate to the fundraising page on JustGiving.com here.
Photographer Alf Harvey got a couple of great photos to launch the event.
SEE ALSO – Young Laois pianist uses lockdown to celebrate 350th anniversary of famous composer
