The Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run has raised a record-breaking £136,850 for Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal, bringing the total raised over 21 years to more than £1.36 million.

The figure was revealed on Friday night at the event’s annual celebration evening, to gasps and shouts of “wow” from hundreds of supporters, including this year’s Pink Ladies, marshals and the support crew.

A record 192 women took part in July’s run, driving tractors decorated in pink along a 20-mile route through south Norfolk and north Suffolk.

“It is amazing. It is humbling.”

Organiser Annie Chapman said:

“Last year, the run raised an incredible £127,150. My husband, John, and I quietly agreed that we were never likely to raise that sort of money again in a single year. But my wonderful Pink Ladies have this year proved us well and truly wrong. 192 of them turned out on the 6th July to raise an extraordinary £136,850 for Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal.

“It is amazing. It is humbling. I am deeply grateful to all the fantastic, caring people who every year make the Ladies’ Tractor Road Run an outstanding success. In 21 years, we have raised £1,360,000! Thank you to everybody for whatever you have done for this tractor run, none of it would happen without a full team effort.”

This year’s cheque was presented by first-time participant Karen Thompson, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year.

She said:

“A phenomenal amount of money has been raised this year. I’ve watched the Pink Ladies Tractor Run year-on-year in Harleston and every time I said, wouldn’t it be great to be sat on one of those tractors.

“My world changed last year when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It tore our world apart. I’m now in a position that people wouldn’t have had pre-2019, with treatment that Cancer Research UK are very much a part of delivering. Ongoing research and the money that funds that is absolutely vital and I’m living proof of that and I’m benefitting from that.

“Annie and John, what you’ve done over the last 21 years, to the tune of £1,360,000, it’s phenomenal. You never know when you’re going to need to draw on the treatment that that research provides.”

Accepting the cheque, Sophia France, Relationship Manager for Norfolk and Suffolk at Cancer Research UK, praised the women’s efforts.

She said:

“It’s seldom that I’m speechless. Karen, thank you for bravely sharing your story, it’s stories like yours which actually bring home why these phenomenal people do what they do.

“Your fundraising really does bring people hope and it is proof of the impact you have. It’s not just the incredible fundraising that you raise, it’s the awareness you raise too. This fierce determination you have, it’s quite remarkable.

“Your incredible fundraising is funding research that gives people futures and hope.”

Despite torrential rain followed by blazing sunshine, thousands lined the route on 6th July to cheer the convoy on. Homes and businesses were decorated in pink bunting, banners and flags, with many supporters dressed head-to-toe in pink.

More information about the event can be found at www.ladiestractorroadrun.co.uk