Swapping tractors for karts in Rapid Response charity event

FARM contractors from across West Cork and the county are set to do battle this weekend but it’s all for a good cause.

‘Battle of the Contractors’ (without the tractors)  will take place  at 4pm on Saturday January 21^st at Kartworld in Watergrasshill to raise much-needed funds for Dr Jason van der Velde and West Cork Rapid Response who came to the aid of a local contractor last September, following an accident.

Gearóid Hurley, a 33-year-old agricultural contractor from Mallowgaten, Bandon, was seriously injured in an accident involving a combine harvester and he, along with fellow contractors and his employer Mark Troy, have organised this event to highlight the important work of West Cork Rapid Response.

‘Dr Jason came on the scene of my accident and he was instrumental in my release from the machine and the outcome could have been a lot worse without his help,’ Gearóid told The Southern Star.

‘He prepped me for hospital while I was in the ambulance before I underwent seven hours of surgery. The idea of organising this event is to give a “thank you” back to such a vital voluntary service and agricultural contractors have all got behind the campaign.’

Gearóid’s sister Colette already got the ball rolling when she organised a coffee morning at her home in Newcestown where she raised over €4,000 and Gearóid will add this to what they will make from the day out in Kartworld.

Grassmen – one of the leading producers of agricultural videos – even came down to Cork and filmed a promo video about the event and talked about the work Dr Jason does which has already received over 120,000 views.

‘The response from people has been so great that the race card is already full and we have 23 teams of five people racing and we could have filled it several times over,’ added Gearóid.

But Gearóid wants as many spectators as possible to come and support them on the day in Kartworld.

‘Dr Jason is behind our fundraiser and he is helping us out by taking part in safety demonstrations and the committee have put in a lot of work to ensure we raise a lot of money for such a good service.’

See ‘Battle of the Contractors’ on Facebook for more information and www.gofundme.com/battle-of-the-contractors-for-wcrr