Over £10,000 raised for charities at 'Low Country Dyno Day' held at Kirkistown Race Circuit

A charity dyno day was held at Kirkistown Race Circuit, County Down, recently.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Dec 2022, 16:39 BST
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The ‘Low Country Dyno Day’ raised money for two worthy causes, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and OGCancerNI, a charity set up specifically to benefit patients and families affected by Oesophago-gastric cancer.

So far, more than £10,000 has been raised with donations still coming in.

The event was organised by Stevie Evans, who has, over the last two years, raised almost £40,000 for the Air Ambulance NI with the sale of a calendar featuring his imagery of machinery working the fields around the Ards Peninsula.

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Organisers and volunteers pictured at an agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit that raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)Organisers and volunteers pictured at an agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit that raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)
Organisers and volunteers pictured at an agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit that raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)

Speaking after the event, Kirkistown's manager, Donal O'Neill, said: “The Low Country Dyno Day was, simply, a massive 'feel good' event at Kirkistown Race Circuit.

"The hard work put in by Stevie Evans, Darren Gilmore and many others, was rewarded by a great turn-out from the Farming Community.

"The tractors just kept coming.

"Although Kirkistown is used to having lots of horse power in attendance, I think the total amount in the paddock at the Dyno Day will have surpassed anything experienced before.

James Muckle from Carrowdore pictured with some of his J.W.M Recovery Action Vehicles as seen in many TV shows. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)James Muckle from Carrowdore pictured with some of his J.W.M Recovery Action Vehicles as seen in many TV shows. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)
James Muckle from Carrowdore pictured with some of his J.W.M Recovery Action Vehicles as seen in many TV shows. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)

"While the craic was ninety, the really important things were the two charities, Air Ambulance NI and OGCancer NI.

"Everyone is aware of the wonderful service that is provided by the Air Ambulance but perhaps people are not so aware of the work of OGCancer NI.

“The prime objective of OGCancer NI is to get people to understand that, for example, persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing or long bouts of hiccups may be signs of oesophago-gastric cancer.

"It is vital to get it checked out so that early treatment can begin, with the best chances of success.”

Kirkistown volunteer, Darren Gilmore, Kirkistown Race Circuit Manager, Donal O'Neill and event organiser, Stevie Evans pictured at an agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit that raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)Kirkistown volunteer, Darren Gilmore, Kirkistown Race Circuit Manager, Donal O'Neill and event organiser, Stevie Evans pictured at an agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit that raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)
Kirkistown volunteer, Darren Gilmore, Kirkistown Race Circuit Manager, Donal O'Neill and event organiser, Stevie Evans pictured at an agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit that raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)

Donal continued: “OGCancer NI wanted to get a chance to present to the farming community because farmers, like nurses and entertainers, are the greatest proponents of ‘the show must go on’ attitude, often putting their health well behind getting the work done.

“The 500MRCI are very happy to have been involved is such a great community event.”

A total of 86 tractors got dyno'd on the day and it was the Fendt 936 brought by Chris Blair that achieved the highest output with 336 HP.

The Claas Xerion brought by Trevor 'Cleet' Thompson wasn't far behind in second, and close to him in third was the Ford 8970 of Craigantlet man Allistair Cooke.

An agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit has raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)An agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit has raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)
An agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit has raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)

Organiser, Stevie Evans, commented: "I'm glad that's over, but also, that it was a huge success!

“The support from this tight knit community was fantastic on the day.

“And, with donations still coming in, the total amount raised is still to come, but I can assure you that it is in excess of £10,000.”

He continued: “This event would not have been a success without the small team of volunteers from both the venue and the farming community who made it happen.

"A huge effort went in to make this day a huge success, and the money raised speaks volumes for everyone's efforts.

“Most of us know someone close who is, or has been affected by cancer.

An agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit has raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)An agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit has raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)
An agricultural dyno day held recently at Kirkistown Race Circuit has raised in excess of £10,000 for charity. (Photo by Graham Baalham-Curry)

"The rural community also relies on the vital and life-saving efforts of the Air Ambulance NI on a regular basis, we just never know when we will need such services.”

Grace Williams, Area Fundraising Manager at Air Ambulance NI, said: “It was such a pleasure to work with Stevie and his team on the Low Country Dyno Day at the end of November.

"Stevie, his family and the team of helpers behind the scenes, are such an inspiration, organising this unique fundraiser in support of Air Ambulance NI; we are so humbled they chose to support us in this way.

“As a service we rely heavily on charitable donations to keep the medical team in the air, delivering critical care to patients, who have suffered trauma throughout Northern Ireland - without continued support, the team simply couldn’t fly. Every single penny counts.

"With a daily fundraising need of £5,500, we are so grateful to Stevie for this wonderful donation.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his continued, vital support and for organising such an amazing day for all who attended - Well done!”