West Cork woman takes on 220km solo tractor run to honour father’s legacy
Lily and Sandra Patterson beside the Ford 6600 tractor, previously owned by Sandra's father John Patterson. Pictures: Larry Cummins
Sandra Patterson is set to embark on a solo charity tractor run to honour her father's legacy while raising funds for two local hospitals and awareness of dementia.
On August 19, Ms Patterson will set off in her 1975 Ford 6600 from Ballinacarriga Castle to Castletownbere via the Mealagh Valley, a 220km round trip.
Ms Patterson is organising a solo charity tractor run to raise funds for Clonakilty Community Hospital and Dunmanway Community Hospital, which have cared for her father, mother and uncle as well as other family members in an effort to give back to the two facilities.
The charity run also aims to celebrate and preserve her father’s legacy in the local area and raise more awareness surrounding dementia.
The route was carefully chosen to recreate the longest journeys made by her father, John Patterson, who regularly drove the same tractor over the Mealagh Valley for decades while hauling grain and beet.
The fundraiser is deeply personal for Ms Patterson, whose father John has been living with dementia and has been a resident of Clonakilty Community Hospital for more than seven years.
Ms Patterson is no stranger to tractor runs. She has been taking part in them for the past 14 years after her father helped establish the annual St Mary's Tractor Run in Dunmanway to raise money for church renovations and local charities, with this tractor run now an anticipated annual event in the local area.
The 1975 Ford 6600 is now 51 years' old and still runs on its original engine, which has never been rebuilt. Family friend Thomas McCormick, along with other friends and neighbours, has helped keep the tractor in working order over the years. The tractor has also been on its sixth run around the clock, an extraordinary achievement for a working tractor of its vintage.
Ms Patterson recalled fondly that the tractor did most jobs on the farm, particularly working the 250 acres of tillage land the family farmed.
"For me, this tractor is much more than a vintage machine," Ms Patterson said.
She said the tractor symbolised resilience and reminded her of her father's character: “She's original; there are no frills.”
Ms Patterson describes her father as “my hero” and explained the vintage tractor was their shared passion; she even drives it down to the hospitals when visiting her father, mother and uncle.
In recent months, Ms Patterson's mother Betty and uncle Billy Kingston have become residents of Dunmanway Community Hospital, adding to the family's long connection with both facilities.
Ms Patterson also credits her aunt, Evie Kingston, with helping shape the determination that has carried her through the project. Living next door while Ms Patterson grew up, Ms Kingston taught her everything from riding a bicycle to hanging shelves while also encouraging her to always give things a go herself first.
Proceeds from the charity tractor run will be split equally between Clonakilty and Dunmanway Community Hospital through a GoFundMe campaign established by Ms Patterson.
"I simply cannot speak highly enough of the care my family has received… They treat them so well. You go down, you're greeted with such respect," Ms Patterson said.
"The management and staff in both hospitals are exceptional. This is my way of saying thank you and giving something back to two places that have cared for so many of the people I love.
Ms Patterson has been passionate about tractors and vintage machinery since childhood, having grown up in an agricultural family. For the past 14 years, she has regularly attended tractor runs, working days and vintage shows throughout Cork and beyond with her treasured Ford 6600.
Supporters can contribute through Ms Patterson's GoFundMe campaign ‘The John Patterson Legacy Run 2026’.
Ms Patterson hopes the community will get behind the initiative and help raise as much as possible for the two hospitals that continue to provide invaluable care to many local families.
Ms Patterson estimates the drive itself will take five hours in the Ford 6600, but expects to be done in seven or eight hours to allow for breaks in the hot weather with the tractor.
"This run is about remembering Dad, celebrating our farming heritage and supporting two wonderful hospitals that mean so much to our family and our community," she said.
While the 220km fundraiser is her immediate focus, Ms Patterson already has her sights set on an even bigger challenge. Next summer, she hopes to complete the Malin to Mizen route in the same Ford 6600, continuing a journey that honours her father's legacy while supporting causes close to her heart.
