Beadlam Tractor Run
898. Bernard Simpson
Bernard Simpson, from Yorkshire, has been determined to support the ‘Yorkshire Air Ambulance’ ever since his family was assisted twice by their services.
In 2003 he founded the ‘Beadlam Tractor Run’, one of the UK’s largest annual tractor runs which has raised over £102,000 for the charity. On Sunday 6th May over 200 tractors will take part in a 50-mile route through 19 villages in Ryedale. Bernard’s ongoing fundraising supports the 1,250 missions the air ambulance carries out every year.
In a personal letter to Bernard, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“By organising ‘The Beadlam Tractor Run’ and raising over £100,000 for the ‘Yorkshire Air Ambulance’, you are supporting a vital service for rural communities. You should be very proud of your achievements over the last 16 years and your success in rallying the community around such an important cause.”
Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said:
“I would like to offer my wholehearted congratulations to Bernard. It is a fantastic achievement and very well deserved. The ‘Yorkshire Air Ambulance’ relies on the generosity of individuals to save lives and it needs heroes like Bernard to bring people together to raise the money needed to keep two helicopters in the air seven days a week.”
Peter Sunderland, Chairman of ‘Yorkshire Air Ambulance’, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Bernard has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award. Bernard and his family have been such an important part of the ‘Yorkshire Air Ambulance’ family over the last 15 years and have raised an astonishing amount of money for the Charity. The ‘Beadlam Tractor Run’ has become synonymous within the ‘Yorkshire Air Ambulance’ calendar and an event we are very much proud to be a part of. We’d like to thank Bernard for dedicating his time and making the Tractor Run such a huge success and a much-loved occasion within the community. A very deserved award and worthy winner.”
Bernard said:
“It’s a fantastic surprise and something I never expected.”
Below: the ‘Beadlam Tractor Run’ in action with Bernard at the helm
