This year the Orkney Christmas Tractor Run returns for it's third year! Whilst enjoying an evening of an exciting and colourful display, we also hope to raise important funds and awareness for two very worthy, local charities. Read more about them below.

Crossroads Care Orkney

Crossroads Care Orkney is a local charity which was established in 1994 with the aim of improving the life of Carers and those for whom they care by giving information, emotional support and practical help. The initial funding came from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, which was initiated by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal in 1991, the Local Authority and NHS Orkney.

The service is run by a Volunteer Board of Directors, Manager, Care Co-ordinators, Finance Administrator/Receptionist and 32 Care Attendants who cover the Orkney Mainland and some of the Outer Islands.

Crossroads Care Orkney offers advice, information, emotional support and advocacy, and free respite care for unpaid carers so they can take a break of caring.

Care Attendants can go into your home to look after your dependent while you have some time off to go to appointments, shopping or to a leisure activity. They can take the dependent out of the home for a run in the car, a walk, go to a cafe or any other activity they request.

Home-Start Orkney

Home-Start is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age.

They offer befriending support along with practical and emotional advice in the homes of families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons.

They recruit and train volunteers from the Orkney islands and carefully match the volunteer with a family in need of support. Volunteers are from all walks of life, each and every one a parent or even grandparent, all with a little free time available each week to help provide emotional and practical help to local families.

Home-Start Orkney is affiliated to the national organisation, Home-Start UK, but they are autonomous and responsible for their own management and securing their own funding.

Volunteers work alongside families to give compassionate and confidential support. They help people to regain the confidence to be the parents they want to be. The support Home-Start volunteers give is non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential. They work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell them that you need.