Ripon Tinsel Tractor Run targets £10,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research
The Ripon Tinsel Tractor Run is aiming to raise £10,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research this year, as the festive event continues to grow.
What started in 2023 with just 18 tractors and three weeks of planning has developed into a major local Christmas fixture, with last year’s run raising £7,022.99.
The event was started by Brian Chandler and Simon Dickinson, after discovering that they each had a brother-in-law battling bladder cancer.
They organised the first tractor run in November 2023, attracting 18 decorated tractors and raising £1,640 for charity.
The event grew to 35 tractors in 2024, raising a further £2,653, with Colin Houseman helping with social media andMark Nicholson supporting the event through NVTEC with insurance and marshalling.
By 2025, demand had grown to the point where the capacity of Ripon Market Place was becoming an issue, with space for around 38 tractors.
Local businesses were brought on board to help the event continue to grow, with the result being a fundraising total of £7,022.99.
£10,000 target
The organisers are now setting their sights on the £10,000 mark for the 2026 Ripon Tinsel Tractor Run.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday 5 December, with the tractors leaving** F Tate & Sons Larkhill Nurseries at 3pm** before making their way through a number of towns and villages before finishing in Ripon.
The organisers are also looking for local businesses and organisations to sponsor the event as they work towards the £10,000 target for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Brian Chandler said businesses interested in supporting the run can get in touch to discuss sponsorship or promotional partnerships.
2026 route
The planned route, with timings subject to change, is:
- 1pm – Tractors arrive at F Tate & Sons Larkhill Nurseries
- 3pm – Tractors leave
- 3.15pm – First tractor arrives at Morrisons, Ripon
- 3.30pm – Leave Morrisons
- 3.50pm – Bishop Monkton
- 4.20pm – Roecliffe
- 4.35pm – Boroughbridge Morrisons
- 5pm – Leave Morrisons
- 5.20pm – Slow drive through Langthorpe
- 5.35pm – Skelton
- 6pm – Junction with B6265 at Hewick
- 6.20pm – Past Ripon Cathedral
- 6.30pm – Ripon Market Place
Anyone interested in sponsoring the Ripon Tinsel Tractor Run can contact Brian Chandler on07802 597015 or email**brian.chandler@hotmail.co.uk**.
Photo credit: Ben Colson Photography.