Joe and Paul finish tractor run

Over the St Patrick's day weekend Joe and Paul Molloy completed their Journey of almost 515 miles from Mizen head to Malin head raising Â£23,000 in the process. This colossal journey was arranged as a fundraising event for two charities Kilronan special school in Magherafelt and Sands a stillbirth and neonatal bereavement organisation. The pair hoped to raise Â£10,000 for the charities and planned on taking almost four days to complete, however with their commitment and dedication that's not how the story went.

The pair set off on Thursday morning at 7.30am for the 10 hour journey to Mizen head by lorry before they could even begin their challenge. They spent the night in Goleen, a small town near Mizen head County Cork. On the morning of St Patrick’s Day at around 7.45am when most were enjoying a lie in Joe and Paul set off for Ennis County Clare a journey of 186 miles, their trusty Valtra made the trip in just under 12 hours.

However it was on Saturday the pair really started to make headway, after a short stop in Claremorris County Mayo to refuel they covered 211 miles from Ennis to Burnfoot, County Donegal where they arrived at 9pm Saturday evening. Originally planning to arrive back home Monday afternoon, this now left them extremely ahead of schedule with only a 37 mile drive remaining.

By the time they reached home in Derry the pair had racked up over 23 hours driving time, a staggering statistic that is only overshadowed by their final donation tally. Originally Joe and Paul hoped to raise £10,000 for their respective charities Kilronan and Sands and after raising over double this to say they smashed their target is an understatement.

Paul explained: “Myself and my Father Joe would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who sponsored us both big and small, the kindness and generosity we have received towards these two charities has been overwhelming. The final count isn’t in yet but at the minute were sitting at approximately £23,000.”

Ciaran O’Hagan, Managing Director of Specialist Joinery Group added: “On behalf of my family and the entire Specialist team I would like to congratulate Joe and Paul on their tremendous achievement, it was a pleasure to be a part of their journey and I’m certain their donations will be a great help to many.”

If you would like to follow the Molloy’s journey a video has been created and can be viewed on the Specialist Joinery Group’s website and Facebook page.