Tractor trekkers' 2500km South Island journey ends

BARRY HARCOURT/The Southland Times

FINISHED! Tractor trekkers celebrate at Stirling Point, Bluff.

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It was an emotional end for the group of epic tractor trekkers that travelled about 2500km on a South Island journey to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Te Anau tractor enthusiast Stan Bulling came up with the idea to do a return trip from Stirling Point, Bluff, to the top of the South Island about two years ago, and it was with help from friends Trish and Maurice Short that his dream grew into a reality.s

Together they decided to use the trek as an opportunity to raise funds for a good cause.

About 50 tractors left Southland three weeks ago. They arrived back at Stirling Point at noon yesterday, covering about 2500km and travelling at a top speed of about 30kmh.

Completing the trek brought tears to Mr Bulling's eyes and while final figures were not in, he said between $120,000 and $150,000 had been raised. "The response we've had has been absolutely fantastic," he said.

Gore woman Trish Dymes, "Nana Trish", said she was overwhelmed. "I did the whole thing ... I made it."

Apart from unwelcoming weather for the final leg of the trek, from Invercargill to Bluff yesterday, it had generally been "pretty good", she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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