When Purdy McManus, from Lisnaskea hit on the idea of doing a charity run on his B275 International tractor, which he rebuilt for the 450-mile journey from Mizen Head to Malin Head, he consulted his GP, Dr Norbert Lynch as to what charity to opt for.

"He said to me, nobody does anything for Alzheimer's and I said, no bother".

So, having decided that the proceeds would go to the Fermanagh Branch of Alzheimer's Society, Purdy headed for Mizen Head where, after getting a terrific send-off from the local Tourist Office, he steered his distinct yellow tractor out of town at 5.30 in the evening. And, he did it all on his own, from start to finish.

That day, he drove until 10 o'clock that night, before stopping for something to eat and then hitting the pillow in a makeshift bed in a van on a trailer towed by the tractor.

Purdy has many tales to tell from his six-day trek and, they're nearly all to do with the terrific hospitality he received along the way, not least from the PSNI and the Garda Siochana who stamped his itinerary log as proof he covered every mile. Anyone else who would like to donate to The Purdy Boy Classic Tractor Run in aid of the Alzheimer's Society (Fermanagh branch) can do so until Wednesday next, 20th August through the Bank of Ireland, Lisnaskea, the Ulster Bank, Enniskillen, and at a number of collection points, including Lisnaskea Filling Station, courtesy Kenneth Neely.

The two banks' sort codes and account umbers are - (BoI) 905053, a/c no - 71611968; (UB) 90-06-50; a/c no - 54776030.