Yahoo News Lincolnshire farmers embark on poignant round-the-UK-coast tractor run to raise awareness and funds for mental health in agriculture
A group of farmers are pooling their tractor-driving skills and building up their energy reserves to take part in an epic journey around the whole of the UK coastline.
The team of between 14 and 16 farmers will drive in shifts, in pairs, on the non-stop challenge, which begins on Cleethorpes seafront on Monday, June 10, at 9am. North Thoresby arable farmer James Casswell will be one of the two men in the cab of his JVC Fastrac tractor, which he is loaning out for the road trip, driving the first leg of the journey – a 16-hour stretch to Northumberland.
While it is has been two years in the planning by James and fellow farmer Taron Lee, the run has taken on extra poignancy as it is also now being held to honour the memory of young farmer Alec Newlove, who took his own life earlier this year. Alec was chairman of Louth Young Farmers and regarded as an inspiration to young people, inside and outside the club, to the wider Lincolnshire Young Farmers’ Clubs and a respected and much-missed family member and friend to many.
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James said: “We will be driving 24 hours, for eight days. There will only be stops for refuelling – a tractor like this will do 18 hours on a tank – and for swapping drivers.
“It’s for a really good cause and we’ve been planning it for a long time but now it’s in memory of Alec, who did so much for the Young Farmers. He’d take his tractor into primary schools for the kids to see, things like that.
“We’ve got his farm manager, who found him, coming down when we set off. I knew Alec personally and I also know of four other people in agriculture who have taken their own lives since January.”
James said: “The tiredness is going to be the thing, but it’s got to be and only right that we are pushed, to get that message out there. The thing I am looking forward to most about it? The finish!”
The team have built an extra day into the schedule, to cover them for breakdowns or any other unforeseen eventualities, with the aim of being back in time for the Lincolnshire Show, taking place on June 19 and 20, when the tractor with its special livery will feature in the attractions. People will be able to follow the live tracker of the tractor’s journey from start to finish, via the Facebook page, Back British Farming & Mental Health, and give donations via a JustGiving page.
Organiser Taron Lee said the tractor challenge was “in honour of Alec’s life and legacy”. Funds raised by the run will go to the yellowwellies.org Mind Your Head campaign, supporting mental health in agriculture.
In a TikTok video about the event, Taron said: “Without charities like these there would be a lot more farmers dead. We can’t help everyone but we can certainly take a load off. We have got to get talking and get the word out more about this; it’s a silent killer.”
Taron, who has suffered with mental health issues himself and will be driving the tractor escort to Northumberland, said people in that area had already been in touch and are planning a guard of honour and barbecue to welcome the vehicle at the driver swap-over point. He said: “I believe there needs to be more training in this industry, really.
“In farming and construction, we do all these courses – health and safety, trailer handling, driving tractors – but there are not really any courses out there about mental health or recognising the signs. It’s something to look into and it’s something I’m pushing for.”
Taron, who set up Louth Christmas Tractor Run four years ago, last year raising £20,000 for Cancer Research UK, said the UK coastal run had been a “logistical nightmare” to plan. He hoped people would “get on board” all along the route to offer their support and help spread awareness, as well as raising funds for the cause.
