A TRACTOR rally from Combe Florey to Crowcombe on Sunday raised £1,768 for the Marion Evered Trust Fund.

The fund was set up by Arthur and Pauline Barrow whose daughter, Tracy, contracted leukaemia in 1972.

She received chemotherapy in the children’s cancer ward at Taunton Hospital, where Pauline and Arthur spent all their time and met others with the same disease.

After Tracy’s death later that year, her parents decided to raise as much money as they could to help young children and their families through the trauma of cancer.

Many fundraising events have been held since the trust was formed in 1974 and an annual cheque presentation is made to Musgrove Park Hospital every October.

Since 1974, over £200,000 has been raised and last year’s cheque totalled £20,000.

The trust is named after Tracey’s grandmother Marion Everard, now 96, who attends all the fundraising events and was at Crowcombe Village Hall to welcome the drivers.

The rally was organised by Terry Ayre, from West Bagborough, and attracted 83 supporters who drove and brought their tractors from as far afield as Bristol, Glastonbury, Langport, Minehead, Wheddon Cross and Tiverton.

Taking some four hours to complete, the 25-mile route started at Combe Florey, following the West Somerset Railway line to Williton, then through Bicknoller with a hot meal awaiting the drivers at Crowcombe Village Hall.

Donations are still coming in and the money will go towards buying new equipment for the ward.