Engines revved! All roads lead to Duns for return of Berwickshire Charity Truck Run
Last updated 4th Jul 2024
All roads lead to Duns this weekend for the return of the Berwickshire Charity Truck Run.
More than a hundred lorries are set to be piped out of the town's Square at 1pm on Saturday (July 6th).
They will then set off, in convoy, on a route which takes them over the border into North Northumberland, before returning to the start via Cornhill (2pm), Coldstream (2.03pm) and Carfraemill (3pm); passing Kelso (2.19pm), Smailholm (2.27pm) and Earlston (2.44pm) along the way.
The event - launched in 2021 to raise money for Borders General Hospital - was started by local trucker Billy O’Brien to thank staff who looked after his wife Shona, after she was diagnosed with cancer.
He told Greatest Hits Radio: "Over the years there have been trucks from all over Scotland, the north of England and even some from Holland. Last year, we had 82 trucks I think, this year we've over a hundred. And, over the last few years, we've raised £83,000 for charity.
"The Western General Hospital in Edinburgh (one of the beneficiaries this year) is currently treating my wife again, and it's working, so that's just a bit of a thank you."
An auction and barbeque will be held in Duns industrial estate when the vehicles return around 3.45pm.
A crowdfunding page has been set-up online and bucket collections will be taken on the day, with crowds expected to line the streets to show their support.
Reflecting on the start of the event, Billy said: “I’ve been involved in haulage all my life and one day in my ‘man cave’ I was watching a programme about a truck run in Dungannon. It was the tail end of Covid so I thought it was something where drivers would be isolated in their trucks.
“I discussed the idea with Neil Renton and a few of us formed a wee committee and it’s been growing every year."
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