When 10-year-old Brandon Bolger returns home to Co Carlow from his next course of chemotherapy at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin in the coming days, it will be waiting for him: a fully restored Zetor 6211 painted a bright yellow, the colour Brandon picked to bring sunshine to St John's Ward, where he receives regular treatment for a rare form of cancer.

"It was his idea," Brandon's father Craig Bolger told the Irish Farmers Journal. When he heard the old jeep was being sold at home, Brandon asked if he could use the proceeds to buy a yellow tractor and fundraise for the hospital.

He's already booked in for Ploughing 2019

The family lived in the UK for five years and Craig worked on a farm while Brandon was still a baby. The love of farming stayed with Brandon and he plans to take the tractor to vintage and agricultural shows to collect donations. "He's already booked in for Ploughing 2019," Craig said.

To top up the money from the old jeep, Brandon and his family appealed to the public through a crowdfunding website and raised over €6,000. They went to Brogan's Tractors in Cloghan, Co Offaly, where Brandon picked the ancient Zetor half dismantled on the floor.

"It was an old tractor, everything new has been put into it: brakes, clutch, tyres, etc," Craig said. And, of course, the yellow coat of paint.

Brandon soon added an 8x4 double-axle trailer sponsored by Co Westmeath-based Dungannon Plant Sales.

Shows and gifts for the children

With the tractor just waiting for its door locks, Brandon is ready to take the combination to the road – though Craig will be driving. "He's going to visit any business who wants to help and raise money for charities that organise shows and gifts for children in Crumlin hospital," he said.

Brandon wants the tour to take him and the tractor to the hospital itself – and while he's in Dublin, he's hoping to feature on The Late Late Toy Show.

In the meantime, the tractor has already worked miracles. While Brandon was depressed during previous courses of chemotherapy, "you wouldn't know the child – he's on a complete high," said Craig.

To get in touch with Brandon and organise an event with his tractor, visit the campaign's Facebook page.