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Keith man revs up for 24-hour ploughing challenge for cancer charities


By Sarah Rollo

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A GRANGE field will be a hive of activity this weekend when a charity 24-hour ploughing match takes place.

Agricultural engineer Ian McDonald is behind the unique fundraising drive, which gets underway at Meikle Cantley this Saturday at 2pm.

A team of 24 drivers are revving up to take two-hour stints as two tractors plough through the night in aid of cancer charities.

Two tractors will be driven through the night as part of Ian McDonald's 24-hour plough challenge in aid of cancer charities.
Two tractors will be driven through the night as part of Ian McDonald's 24-hour plough challenge in aid of cancer charities.

Ian, who drew the midnight to 2am stint, ran a similar event on the same date five years ago and raised £11,000.

He said: "It will be hard to top that, but even if we do half as much I will be delighted."

The 24-hour challenge is taking place in memory of Ian's mother Elizabeth McDonald, a practice nurse at Keith Health Centre, who the family lost to cancer two years ago.

"We are raising money for Cancer Research UK, but there will also be a donation to Keith Cancer Link," he said.

"When I lost my mother, Keith Cancer Link and the cancer surgeons couldn't have been better. They were really great."

While the weather forecast might be looking chilly, Ian says spectators will be given a very warm welcome.

He said: "There will be a nice warm cuppa and butteries, supplied by Strathisla Bakery, and a piece, donated by Lorna Wilson.

"There is also the opportunity to buy a raffle and we have some excellent prizes up for grabs thanks to local support. There is a serious amount of booze donated, folk has been very generous.

"The weather forecast hasn't been fantastic, but it is just February weather. We just have to hope that we can go ahead as we are definitely ready for it.

"The ground itself will stand a bit of weather on it as it if fairly good-draining land, which helps us a lot."

Anyone who would like to go along and cheer on the drivers would be very welcome and the field can be found by taking the A95 Banff Road out of Keith, then turning right by the war memorial after which there will be signs.

You can find out more at Ian McDonald's 24hr Charity Ploughing Challenge on Facebook. Those who wish to support the drive, but can't manage along, can donate via the Ian McDonald 24hr Charity Plough 2020 JustGiving page.

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