Cork woman's charity fundraising drive in vintage tractor pays tribute to her dad 

A Cork woman is set to take on a solo fundraising drive across the county in a vintage tractor in a moving tribute to her father who has dementia.

Sandra Patterson will drive her 1975 Ford 6600 tractor from Ballinacarriga near Dunmanway to Castletownbere and back, via the Mealagh Valley, on August 19 and 20, recreating her father’s longest working journey hauling grain or beet.

Ms Patterson’s father, John Patterson, has been a resident of Clonakilty Community Hospital for more than seven years.

She told The Echo that the tractor run also honours her mother Betty and uncle Billy, both of whom recently become residents at Dunmanway Community Hospital. 

Ms Patterson said money raised will go towards the Clonakilty and Dunmanway community hospitals, to help fund the care both facilities provide.

“These two wonderful facilities are invaluable to our local community and beyond.

“We are extremely lucky to have these facilities in our local community. The care my family members and all the residents receive in both these hospitals is second to none.

“I can’t not speak highly enough of the care that is provided, staff and management.”

Ms Patterson said both she and her daughter Lily are proud to be able to carry on her father’s legacy in the local community.

“He is a man that made his mark on the local community. My daughter Lily and I are so very proud of him and we carry on his name with great love and pride.

“My father would love to be doing it. He did a lot of fundraising and was involved in many things in the community,” she said.

“I try and do a kind act once or twice a day to help someone. My passion is tractors, so I will use my passion to create a fundraiser.”

“It is very much about honouring dad’s legacy and also giving back to those who are caring for him, my mom and my uncle, who is very close to my heart and like another father to me.”

Anyone interested in donating to the fundraiser can do so via: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-john-patterson-legacy-run-2026.