Cattle breeder and vintage tractor collector John Moffitt's centenary Ivel tractor drive from Bedfordshire to the Royal Show has raised a total of £120,142 for the hospice movement in the UK. The cheque was presented to David Burland, Help the Hospices' director of fundraising (pictured left, holding the cheque), by John Moffitt on Sunday November 23 at the Vintage Tractor & Machinery Event, Skipton Market, North Yorkshire.
As well as for his work in cattle breeding, John Moffitt is renowned for his collection of vintage tractors and equipment. One of his proudest possessions is a 1903 18hp petrol driven Ivel tractor, bought from avid vintage tractor enthusiast Derek Hackett, of Ross-on-Wye, in 1970. The 100 year old Ivel is the oldest small, working, internal combustion tractor in the world.
To celebrate the Ivel's centenary, John Moffitt decided to undertake a charity drive of 100 miles this summer - driving at an average speed of 5mph - to raise at least £100,000 for Help the Hospices.
The drive followed a route from the tractor's Bedfordshire birthplace to the Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, where it was nominated for an award in 1903 and gained a Silver Medal the following year. The Ivel went on to win a further 36 Gold and Silver awards throughout the world.
The Ivel's inventor Daniel Albone named it after the River Ivel, which ran past his Biggleswade workshop. Dan Albone set in motion a revolution in mechanical farming, a decade ahead of more well known pioneers such as Henry Ford and Harry Ferguson. Numbering of the Ivel tractor started at 100, with John Moffitt's machine, number 131 and registered AO 385, being used by Dan Albone as his demonstration model.
The charity drive included visits to Silverstone and Donnington racing circuits, where the Ivel was pictured alongside a Jordan Formula 1 racing car and top motorcycle teams. There were also two related auctions of donated items, held free of charge by Cheffins of Cambridge. These raised £37,000, including £9200 for a unique model of the Ivel crafted to scale in solid silver by Keith Hamilton-Gabb, and bought by an Irish collector, Finn Lynch from Dundalk.
"I am delighted that the 100 mile drive with the 100 year old Ivel achieved its main aim of raising at least £100,000 for the hospice movement," said John Moffitt. "Like many people, I appreciate the marvellous work this great charitable organisation does for those who are terminally ill, and who need dedicated care during the last days of their lives.
"I would just like to thank the team of volunteers who, throughout this year, have generously given their time as well as driven the Ivel and collected money for this valuable cause. In addition, I thank all those who have supported the drive with their sponsorship and other contributions, and who have also given their time freely to help us achieve and surpass our original target."
