FIFTY tractors chugged through Rochford as part of an eye-catching convoy to raise money for a south Essex hospice.

The Rochford Hundred Vintage Tractor and Engine Club held its annual tractor run on Sunday as a mix of vintage and modern tractors rolled through Rochford, Stambridge and Canewdon.

Vintage - A selection of vintage and modern tractorsVintage - A selection of vintage and modern tractors (Image: Aaron Chesham)

Thanks to the event, £700 has been raised for Fair Havens, in Southend, which offers palliative care to adults living with incurable conditions across south Essex.

Ride along - tractors raised funds for HavensRide along - tractors raised funds for Havens (Image: Aaron Chesham)

This years event was even more poignant for the club as they carried out the convoy with memory of Charles Tabor, who passed away last year after 40 years as president.

Phil Vidler, 80, has thanked people for the massive turn-out in support of the run, despite the loud noise and congestion.

On road - a decorated tractorOn road - a decorated tractor (Image: Aaron Chesham)

He said: “From nearby farms, we had around 50 tractors and have managed to collect £700 for our fundraiser, we have also had ten Havens buckets out that are yet to be added up.

“I lead the run usually, it is a 25-mile route, and it was such a nice day, we got a lot of support from people waving along the route.

“We get people most years planning to be along the route and people come out and wave from their gardens.

“We also stopped and let people pose, we had stops in Canewdon Village, and we stopped in Pagglesham to greet a group of people there.”

Vintage - a Ford tractor in the convoyVintage - a Ford tractor in the convoy (Image: Aaron Chesham)

Mr Vidler added that, while the club does a run most years, they have raised money for Havens following the death of club secretary and president Mr Tabor.

“He was a smashing man and we are hopeful that his son will take over so the club can be kept in their family, that is the reason we did it for Havens this year and we called it the ‘Charles Tabor Memorial Run’," Mr Vidler said.

Memorial run - the tractorsMemorial run - the tractors (Image: Aaron Chesham)

“It makes me feel so proud, to see what we can do.”

The 50 tractors involved in this year’s run were a mixture of both modern and vintage, with Mr Vidler adding that, even at 80, he “is still always restoring vintage tractors and cars.”