Tractor on Tour - 10 years on

Top: Jill Barrett, Russell guarding the tractor, The start of Tractor on Tour 2008.

Bottom: Jane McKenna, Jill, Louise and Russell, Jane receiving the first instalment of the funds raised from Jill in 2008.

One of the first things that I photographed when I opened my professional photography business 10 years ago, was to document my cousin Jill Barrett as she, along with her cousin Louise and their mascot Russell, drove a large tractor around the 32 counties of Ireland. The aim was to raise money and awareness for Children Hospices in Ireland. Jill raised €100,000 in 2008, most of which went towards the building of LauraLynn House, the first children's hospice in Ireland founded by Jane and Brendan McKenna, The balance was donated to children’s hospices in Northern Ireland.

Top: Jane McKenna and Jill Barrett outside LauraLynn House, Tractor on Tour in Dublin 2018.

Bottom: Louise and Russell collecting in Dublin, some of the many collectors collecting in St Stephen’s Green in 2018.

So I was delighted this year, to document the 10th anniversary tractor run and collection in Dublin last month. After a visit to LauraLynn house with Jill driving an even bigger tractor than 10 years ago, Jill with an army of collectors continued to raise money and awareness for Ireland's Children's Hospice, LauraLynn. 

Russell - the Newfoundlander, still going strong in 2018 and at the start of Tractor on Tour in 2008.

And after 10 years, even Russell was still able to play his part!