Who would have thought; that old tractors could fly on angels’ wings?

The weekend’s Central West Charity Tractor Trek raised enough money for dozens of flights for not-for-profit, Little Wings, who provide transport for country-based kids in need of medical care in the city.

This year’s event saw just over a dozen tractors of various vintages touring local villages for three days with a gala dinner in Blayney on the Saturday night.

“We started with 15 but, due to breakdowns and the like, we’re now down to 13,” Trek President, Mal Porter said with a rueful smile.

“We gave Little Wings a total of $80,000 at our dinner last night; our goal was $60,000, and we exceeded that easily,” he enthused.

The event was the first held in three years due to the pandemic lockdowns with local tractor drivers happy to be back in the saddle.

“We’ve had better years than that for our fundraising, but this was our first since COVID where we were cancelled for two years, so we’re still very proud.

“It was very successful, despite the rain, we had no problems with the ground either.” 

Blayney Community Centre was packed out for Saturday night’s dinner which acts as a major fundraiser for the Trek.

“In the auction alone last night, we made close to $7000. We had multiple items, everything from engine oil to fluffy toys, but everyone was very generous.

“Rotary helped as well, they did our breakfasts, every morning, Friday through Sunday,” he added.

With the event ending with a special luncheon at the Golden Memories Museum at Millthorpe, the drivers were amply provided for in the sustenance stakes.

“We had lunch at the villages; at Hobbys Yards, we had a community morning tea; at Neville, Friday lunch at the school; at Carcoar, afternoon tea; and at Newbridge, a community morning tea on Sunday, and here we are at the Millthorpe Museum for lunch.

“At all the villages, we’ve been very well catered for food; everyone’s been very welcoming,” Mal said.

Tractors ranged from modern giants to old Fords, Massey Fergusons, and Australian-made Chamberlain’s, with some rare models going back to post-World War II, including a French Champion tractor.

The money raised, he said, will assist dozens of families with health emergencies: “When you donate $80,000, that creates funding for about 60 families that we’re able to help,” Mal said.

Little Wings Fundraising Manager, Wanda Fennell, added that things are looking up for the decade-old not-for-profit with recent funding for another aircraft for the group.

“We have three that we own now, and the Federal Government recently gave us a grant for another plane,” she said.

“We’ve already brought the aircraft with one of our ‘fairy pilots’ (volunteer aviators) now flying the plane from America.”

The group, she adds, runs on a wing and a prayer, with dozens of people donating their skills and services, both in flights and also as drivers, each year.

“More than 90 per cent of our pilots, drivers, and other helpers are volunteers.

“This is our 10th year, and we’ve flown and transported people for four million kilometres in that time,” Wanda concluded.