Christmas tractor run raises more than £36,000 for air ambulance service

A Christmas tractor run organised by West Sussex farmer Rupert Hoare raised £36,371.54 for Air Ambulance Kent, Surrey and Sussex and involved 114 tractors.

A Christmas tractor run in West Sussex raised a record sum for the Air Ambulance Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The event was organised by farmer Rupert Hoare and grew from his personal experience after his wife was taken to hospital by air ambulance. Now in its third year, the fundraiser exceeded last year's total by a substantial margin. The procession passed through several villages around Chichester and attracted wide local participation. Key details: - Total raised: £36,371.54 reported for Air Ambulance Kent, Surrey and Sussex. - Organiser and motivation: West Sussex farmer Rupert Hoare organised the run and said his support was inspired after his wife was flown to hospital by an air ambulance. - Participation: 114 tractors took part, travelling from Funtington through Westbourne, Southbourne, Nutbourne, Bosham, Fishbourne, Kingsham, around Chichester, and on to Mid Lavant, West Stoke, East Ashling and West Ashling. - Event history: This was the third annual tractor run and it surpassed last year's total by more than £12,000. - Charity costs noted: Hoare said the air ambulance service costs about £56,000 a day to operate. Summary: The tractor run produced a record donation for the regional air ambulance service and highlighted local support for emergency medical care. Undetermined at this time.