A community champion raising money in memory of loved ones has pulled in nearly £30,000 over five years of support for Severn Hospice. Gary Penton has been organising the Ruyton-XI-Towns Tractor Pull since Severn Hospice helped his father-in-law in 2013. Six months ago, the hospice also supported Gary’s sister.
Almost 500 people attended this year’s event in September, with around 50 tractors helping to swell Gary’s total over the years to more than £27,000. Along with his wife Maureen, friends, and a handful of volunteers, Gary organises the event as well as running the bar and pulling pints. He explains, “We chose to support Severn Hospice because they helped my father-in-law and the care was unbelievable, second to none. My sister received Severn Hospice’s at home care and the experience was the same. Losing my sister gave me even more determination to make the event bigger and better.”
Mike Perry of Severn Hospice adds, “We need to raise £2 for every £3 we spend, and because of fantastic community fundraisers like Gary and Maureen, we can help support families living with an incurable illness across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and mid Wales.”
