Tamar Restoration raise £5000 for Children’s Hospice South West
Members of the Tamar Restoration and Engineering Club (TREC) handed over a donation of £5000 to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW)
TREC was initially formed in 2017, when retired friends came together to restore an old tractor that was gathering dust in a barn belonging to one of the members.
The restoration bought the old Nuffield tractor back to life. Proud of their achievement and with a new found camaraderie through the close working relationship, the group enthusiastically tackled their next project, a Land Rover renovation.
The vehicle was in need of extensive restoration to get it back to full working order. This involved removal of the complete body shell to enable it to be repaired and the chassis to be replaced with a brand new galvanised version, the engine, clutch and gearbox were overhauled and refitted along with a new radiator. New suspension and a complete new braking system was also installed. The electrical system was overhauled and partially rewired along with new headlights.
TREC has now grown into a group of ten community minded individuals who share a passion for all things engineering related. Some of the members have engineering experience, others come from more diverse backgrounds such as farming, the probation service and businessmen up to director level. They all work together on mechanical projects, sharing tools, resources and knowledge on a completely voluntary basis.
Over time, word spread and more vintage tractors and Land Rovers were brought to the group by local people who perhaps had neither the spare time or the skills necessary to complete such a renovation.
They undertake renovation work on various projects, mostly on behalf of third parties, for an agreed donation to the club: these projects include vintage tractors, mowers, Land Rovers and other items that are brought to us as people have become aware of our efforts. Once completed and the cost of any new parts is subtracted, the club then makes a donation to a chosen charity.
This is the group’s, based in the Tamar Valley, biggest donation to CHSW to date, bringing their total donations to over £10,000.
Bethany Rudge, Area Fundraiser for CHSW, said:
We are so grateful for such incredible, passionate people in the community who are dedicated to using their skills and spare time to raise funds for our special cause. Thank you!