Laura rides on for Lands End!
AN ALFORD tractor girl is on course for driving into Lands End next week.
Laura Mathers, 22, who works for her Dad's haulage company J & G Riddell, set off on her extraordinary journey from John O'Groats on Sunday.
She is joined on the charity 13-day adventure by nine other ladies and their tractors who aim to raise 100,000 for various causes by driving the length of the UK.
Despite fears that the slow pace of the tractors would upset other motorists, Laura says there's been a positive response so far: "We've had waves, toots and photographs from all sorts of drivers. We were worried we would come across lots of road rage, but drivers have been really friendly and supportive.
"There's been a couple of showers along the way, though generally the weather's been great, and we've seen some beautiful scenary, especially on the road from John O'Groats, which is pretty straight.
The 10-strong group have already taken fundraising stops in Helmsdale, Inverness, Blair Castle and Crieff, and will be aiming to keep the donations flowing when they cross the border to England on Friday this week.
Laura is travelling alongside adventurous ladies from Scotland, England, Ireland and even New Zealand.
She continued: "Quite a few of the girls had never been to Scotland before so they've really enjoyed seeing some of the sights.
"I'm used to driving tractors around the farm, but this has been a completely different experience. The first day we were travelling 90 miles, and so it's really long days, and very tiring. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, we're just now trying to manage our speeds, so we're not all driving at different paces."
Currently at the halfway mark of 50,000, the tractor girls have selected charities such as Cancer Research UK, Motor Neurone Disease UK, CLIC Sargent and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
They are charities which are important to all the group. Laura explained: "One of the girl's mum was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease last year, and another girl's grandmother has had breast cancer, so we want to raise as much money as possible."
The girls should reach Lands End by Friday, July 9, where they will then take a few days break, before embarking on a trip across the water to Ireland for the Fingal Vinatge Rally on Sunday, July 25.
To make a donation to the Tractor Girls, or to find out more information about the cause, go to www.tg2010.co.uk.
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Weather for Banchory
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
