And so it was that I found myself at 8am on a Sunday morning, devouring a bacon butty – fuel for the challenge ahead.
I was taking part in the Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run for the first time.
In its 20th year, this iconic event saw 197 tractors and 201 women, all swathed in pink, lining up for a 20-mile run through South Norfolk and North Suffolk.
For many years I have volunteered with the group but this was my first year behind the wheel of a tractor.
Over the past 19 years, the event has raised £896,000 for Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal.
This year we were gunning for a total of £104,000 to help us smash through the £1 million mark.
The night before the run I had joined 39 other women at a convoy point and at 0930 on the day of the run we were to be led in unison to Thorpe Abbotts airfield – the starting point for the run.
I’d even made my own personalised number plate!
At 0915 I noticed I had a flat tyre, but thanks to the wonderful support crew, I was pumped back up in minutes.

Because of the special nature of this year’s run, many of the participants were new.
As we all gathered at the airfield, I was joined either side by two other ladies taking part for the first time.
Amy and Lucy were as keen me and we were all raring to go.
At 1130 sharp, Annie Chapman, the wondrous woman behind the event, trundled forth – her merry band of women travelling behind her – all averaging a top speed of 8mph.
I was nervous yes, but also very excited and proud.
We were only metres from the start and the crowds began to appear – people were picnicking outside their homes, waving and cheering us on.
Families were gathered to witness this very unique and inspiring sight and had decorated their homes with pink balloons, flags, banners and bunting along the route.
I soon mastered the art of waving at the same time as steering, accelerating, braking, turning, changing gear and avoiding people – or so I thought!

The sight of so many people supporting us was, at times, overwhelming and brought me to the verge of tears but I knew I had to keep it together so I was able to see the route ahead of me!
Driving into Harleston, the largest town which punctuates the route, was one of the most memorable experiences of the day.
Crowds packed the recently widened pavements, businesses were bedecked in pink, young and old alike were waving and shouting in unison.
At 1300 we stopped for lunch, a picnic with friends, family and loved ones in the beautiful meadow at Gawdy Hall, just outside Harleston.

I had been joined by my husband, parents, aunt and family friends who had laid out the picnic of dreams, with a very pink theme!
The meadow was awash with love, support and laughter, and a great many tears at the sheer emotion of the day.
It was a chance to look at all the tractors and the decorations which were as individual as the women involved.
We headed off on the second half of our journey at 1515, across vast swathes of farm tracks, skirting ripening wheat fields and golden barley.
It was a time for all of us to reflect on why we do the run, those we have lost to breast cancer and the stunning achievements of the event over the years.

Many of the women who take part are cancer survivors, but all of us have been affected by cancer in some way – throughout our lives it affects everyone in some shape or form.
I took part with thoughts of my treasured Aunty Betty, who died of breast cancer, at the front of my mind.
As we wove our way back to Thorpe Abbotts airfield the waves of support continued, with smiling, happy folk waving us on our way in lay-bys, gardens, villages, pub gardens and cafes.
The sense of achievement as we turned the corner into the airfield was palpable, as we lined up our tractors one last time, we congratulated each other, shouting ‘we made it!’.
With a sense of jubilation in the air we all made our way to two agricultural trailers for the group photo, and what a sight it was, a sea of pink full of laughter and smiles.

As I left to trundle the nine miles home on backroads, I was looking forward to reflecting on the day – on what a joyous and emotional occasion it had been and how proud I was to have taken part and made it round the route.
But, as it turned out, I took a wrong turn and ended up on the A140, with not much of an idea as to where I was. Cars overtook me at lightening speed but many flashed their lights and were enthusiastically waving at me.
As I chugged onwards at 13mph something didn’t feel quite right.
And, with five and a half miles to go until home I slowed to a stop. I’d broken down.

A huge thank you to the three people who stopped and offered advice and to my husband for towing me home.
At 8pm I sat down with a beer, time to enjoy memories of a truly magical day, and yes, I will be back next year.
What really struck me is the mammoth amount of work, energy and effort by all involved – but especially by organiser Annie Chapman.

The ladies, the support crew, the tractor owners, the marshals, the collectors, the fundraisers, mechanic, fire and first aid personnel, photographer, farmers, the landowners, videographer, the supporters and so many more.
Taking part in the run for the first time has really made me aware of how cherished this event is.
There is a real camaraderie between the ladies and I have made so many friends in such a short space of time.
It’s also truly remarkable to see the far-reaching love felt for this event, from both participants, supporters and spectators.
As a participant I received a wonderful rosette to mark the 20th anniversary of the run, it is now proudly displayed in my kitchen and every time I make a cuppa, I smile at it – recounting the day, the women, the atmosphere and the phenomenal achievement we have made – yes, it’s official, we have already smashed through a fundraising total of £1m, come September the full amount raised from this year’s Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run will be announced, what a day that will be!
Thankyou for all your support.
