Portpatrick pulls in crowds and cash for CHAS
 With Scotland’s strongmen congregating to drag a 17.5 tonne articulated lorry against the clock, the annual sweat-in-the-sun showcase has become a must-see for locals and visitors.
And this year proved no different. On Easter Saturday more than 5000 people enjoyed the spectacle — raising
£3000 for our appeal and boosting the total Truckpull donations since 1999 to £30,000!
But amidst all the stretched sinew and bulging muscles, it’s never been a case of ‘take the strain’ for the event organisers, the Ritchie family from the picturesque village.
Ian, Rosie and their son Iain beamed with pride as they handed over their latest cheque to our hospice appeal. “We actually raised £6000 on the day, but half of that went to the local Macmillan Cancer Relief fund,” explained Ian.
“This year’s event was fantastic and received staggering support once again — local police were actually having to turn cars away from the village because it was so busy.
“The highlight of the day was the world record attempt at pulling a 22.25 tonne articulated lorry over the longest distance within a set time. The record currently stands at 100 feet and Brian Turner’s massive effort was just short by 18ft!”
Adrenaline
Events such as the Farmer’s Walk, a gruelling challenge which requires competitors to carry two heavy cylinders over 100 feet, was won by Scotland’s current strongest man Paul Porteous, and kept both the crowds’ and the competitors’ adrenaline pumping.
But it wasn’t just the muscle-bound getting stuck in, as Ian explained, “We had the traditional two teams of supergrans pulling a nine-tonne truck, and even some of the local children got in on the action too.
“The sponsors have also shown immense support for the Truckpull, and we’d especially like to thank Andrew Carrington, of Carrington’s World of Furniture in Stranraer, who supplied a stylish reclining leather chair and footstool as a prize.”
And as the Ritchie family start to plan next year’s Truckpull events, Ian vouched for their ongoing commitment to CHAS.
“The Truckpull is very much about head-to-head competition, with individuals pitting their strength and stamina against each other, but it’s also about teamwork.
“Everyone, young or old, has the chance to participate in the day and help to support a vital and worthy cause.
“I think the continued success of the Truckpull speaks for itself and we are extremely proud to be part of a campaign that is close to the hearts of the nation — we will definitely continue to help the CHAS children and their families.” |
You can e-mail us at:
hospice@sundaypost.com
|
From left, Iain Ritchie, Rosie Ritchie, Debbie Traynor and Celia McLean from CHAS, Truckpull committee man Tommy Fowles and Ian Ritchie.
