The Orkney Christmas Tractor Run returns for it's fifth year! Whilst enjoying an evening of an exciting and colourful display, we also hope to raise important funds and awareness for two very worthy, local charities. Read more about them below.

Parkinson's Orkney

Parkinson’s Orkney is a newly organised branch. They are dedicated to assisting people with Parkinson’s, their carers and family members.

Their volunteers run an Information desk in the Balfour Hospital on the days there are Parkinson’s clinics. This enables them to meet people who have been newly diagnosed and offer them information on the disease and what is available from them to assist in coping with the disease and its problems.

Parkinson’s has the highest diagnosis of neurological diseases and is increasing at an alarming rate.

Their aim is to assist and make life easier for people living with Parkinson’s and also their carers.

They currently hold weekly and monthly exercise & sport classes which are hugely beneficial, not only for the exercise element, but also the social side of them. They are looking to expand these classes to other areas in Orkney and donations they receive from the tractor run will help this happen.

MacMillan Orkney

MacMillan Orkney aim to provide an informal and comfortable environment, combined with up to date and evidence based treatment for patients with cancer. Practical advice and support are also offered to the patient’s family and friends to allow them to cope with the effects of the illness. Macmillan Orkney also aim to offer medical and nursing oncology and palliative care. This includes pain control, symptom management, blood transfusions and chemotherapy. Additional care includes lymphoedema management, palliative care and emotional support for the patient and the family.

Macmillan Orkney works closely with the Cancer Centre in Aberdeen, GPs and allied health professionals. Clinical Specialist Nurses are part of the team and are a link between Macmillan and the community, where many patients are cared for in their own homes, receiving specialist pain and symptom control advice, emotional support and liaison with other agencies.

They are dedicated to supporting local folk through a difficult time and any donations received would help them continue with this.

All funds that are raised will be used in Orkney.