Agricultural communities in the southeast are out in force, fundraising for a child awaiting a liver transplant.

Emily Byrne is in need of an urgent liver transplant and has spent most of the past few months in various hospitals, including Cork University Hospital, Crumlin and King’s College Hospital in London.

To help raise funds for Emily, two tractor runs are taking place in the coming weeks, in Lismore, Co Waterford, on 27 December and in Knockanore, Co Waterford, on 6 January.

Kevin Moloney, chair of the Knockanore Melleray Fundraising Committee, told the Irish Farmers Journal he is hoping for a big turnout.

“All the indications are that it is going to be a huge event for the west Waterford, east Cork and south Tipperary areas,” Moloney said.

“Baby Emily’s dad is Sean Byrne, who is a very well-known agri mechanic, and her mother is Ann Marie Flanagan, who is also from a large, very well-known family.

“Sean has started an agri-machinery repairs business in the last year (West Waterford Agri Sales).

“Emily was born last June with severe liver problems and despite having several operations in King’s College Hospital in London these were unsuccessful, so she is now on the transplant list awaiting a liver transplant. We are trying to raise funds to cover travel, accommodation and medication expenses, so that Sean and Ann Marie can just focus on Emily’s recovery.”

Entry to both tractor runs is €30, with all proceeds going to the worthy cause.