Huge Laois charity truck and tractor run powers into gear for 2025

The ignition has been turned on in Laois for planning the 2025 edition of hugely popular and succesfull Camross Truck & Tractor Run.

First run in 2016, the event returns this October to raise money for Laois Offaly Families for Autism (LOFFA). The tractor run takes place on Sunday, October 12, followed by the truck run a week later on Saturday, October 18. The organisers say both days promise to bring the parish together in support of a great cause.

Organiser Barry Cuddy says the secret is the community spirit: “For a small parish, to see all those trucks coming over the bridge into Camross — it’s a sight. The kids love it, the place is buzzing.”

He added that everything from tea and coffee to homemade buns is free on the day, so families feel welcome and looked after. 

The event will see trucks and tractors descend on Camross from far and wide. Originally a one-day event, it has grown to two weeks because of its popularity. 

Barry and his friends set up the fundraiser in 2016 with the intention of raising funds for a Down Syndrome Le Cheile event in Abbeyleix Golf Club. Since then more than €60,000 has been raised for various causes such as Laois Hospice, St Francis school, Down Syndrome Ireland Laois, Fairy Footprint.  

Donations can be made for the first time this year via GoFundMe. 

Tickets are now available for the accompanying fundraising raffle. They are €5 each. 1st prize €500, 2nd prize €300 and 3rd prize €200. Tickets are available from all committee members and from LOFFA. The draw will take place on the night of the truck run on October 18.

LOFFA is a local, non-profit charity based in Laois and Offaly. They benefited to the tune of €16,000 from the 2024 event are grateful that the organisers have chose them again.

"Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us all. We support our membership of over 169 local families who have a child with a diagnosis of autism. All funds raised go directly to subsidising vital services needed for their children," they say.

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Supports provided include occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, play therapy, behavioural therapy and counselling. LOFFA also offer social events to families such a swimming, cinema outings, coffee mornings and monthly meetings.

For truck and tractor run details, the Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064633934313

Barry and fellow truck run organiser David Bredin spoke about the Camross Truck and Tractor Run to Wood from the Trees youtuber David Cuddy.