Laura's up for the long haul
AN ALFORD woman is set to drive the length of the UK on a tractor.
Motorists will not want to get stuck behind Laura Mathers, 22, when she joins nine other ladies and their tractors on the lengthy trip from John O'Groats to Lands End for charity.
The ten ladies set off on their travels from the most northern point in Scotland on Sunday (June 27) and they are hoping to raise around 100,000 for a range of good causes.
Laura, who works for her Dad's haulage company, J & G Riddell, says she's used to driving a tractor around the farm, but it is nothing compared to the 13 day trip across the UK.
She explained: "I've never even been to Lands End or John O'Groats. Some of the girls have actually never driven a tractor before so I guess I'm lucky in that sense, but it will be a completely different experience driving such a distance."
Laura will be travelling alongside adventurous girls from Scotland, England, Ireland and even New Zealand.
With fundraising at the halfway 50,000 mark, the group hope their adventure raises the necessary amount for charities including Cancer Research UK, Motor Neurone Disease UK, CLIC Sargent and Motor Neurone Disease Association.
They are charities which are important to all the group. Laura said: "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 intend to travel around 90 miles a day, reaching their destination by Friday, July 9.
"The first day we're driving around 91 miles to Dornoch. We hope to drive about eight hours a day, but it just depends really how we progress. All our accomodation is booked up and we've organised yards or space at haulage contractors for the tractors so we'll just have drive on as long as it takes each day."
Not content with the journey across the UK, the group will also be taking their vehicles to Ireland at the end of July.
The ten ladies, will be driving from Oranmore to Dublin for the Fingal Vintage Rally by Sunday, July 25.
Laura's friend Jenny Cole from Dorset, is the mastermind behind the fundraiser and first contacted Laura last year. The idea developed from there.
Laura said: "Jenny asked me if I wanted to take part because I have access to a tractor, its all happened so fast though. The group of us have only met up twice, once for the photoshoot and then again for a charity ball, so the tractor run will be the most time we've ever spent together.
"I'm a bit nervous now, but it's going to be an incredible experience."
To make a donation to the Tractor Girls 2010 or find out more information go to www.tg2010.co.uk
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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