The much-loved Writtle to Chipping Ongar Christmas Charity Tractor Run returned for its third year on Saturday, 7th December, spreading festive cheer and raising vital funds for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT).
Organised Liz Lyon and her arable farming family of North Benfleet Hall, Wickford and the team at R W Crawfords, a tractor dealership in Writtle, the dazzling event featured a convoy of 110 brightly decorated tractors, lighting up the streets of Essex and delighting onlookers of all ages.
Despite the challenging weather, hundreds of locals lined the route to show their support. The procession began at R W Crawford’s yard in Writtle, travelled along the A414 to Chipping Ongar High Street, and made its way back through Stondon Massey and Blackmore.
The Christmas Tractor Run, sponsored by The Green Barn Farm Shop Café and Crawfords Group, began as a modest idea inspired by a festive tractor sighting in Oxford. Since then, it has grown into a much-anticipated annual event, drawing participants from across Essex and beyond.
Liz Lyon, the driving force behind the run, shared the origins of this festive spectacle:
“No one had organised a Christmas tractor run in Essex before, so my sons encouraged me to start one. With the incredible support of Bob Crawford and his team at RW Crawford, we’ve created a fantastic community event. This year, we’ve welcomed tractors from as far as the Essex/Suffolk border, Rochford, Southminster, and Stanford-le-Hope.”
The event holds a personal significance for Liz, whose son was airlifted by an air ambulance after a serious accident 10 years ago.
“This is my way of giving back to an incredible charity,” Liz said. “In the farming community, you never know when their life-saving services might be needed. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference.”
Since its inception in 2022, the Christmas Tractor Run has raised an impressive £18,000 for charity and while donations are still being counted, organisers estimate around £13,000 for EHAAT this year.
Clair Mitchell, from EHAAT’s fundraising team, praised the event:
“We are incredibly grateful to Liz and her family, the team at RW Crawford, Essex Young Farmers, and everyone involved in organising this fantastic festive spectacle. Thank you also to everyone who braved the weather to support us and who gave so generously. The funds raised helps to provide vital support for our life-saving mission. It’s wonderful to see it growing bigger and better each year.”
The evening was a magical celebration of holiday spirit, community togetherness, and generosity—all in support of a cause that makes a real difference.
