Farm mechanics driving tractors across the UK for mental health

Three farm mechanics plan to drive vintage tractors from John O’ Groats to Lands End in to raise money for a mental health charity.

Billy Kitcher, 23, from Chideock near Bridport came up with the idea and hopes the challenge will raise awareness of the issues with mental health in the farming industry as well.

His friends Bill Parsons and Jack Macey, from Wooton Fitzpaine, will join him for the for the more than 800-mile charity drive which starts in Scotland on 8 September.

They will raise money for Will does, a young persons mental health charity set-up in memory of 14-year-old William Paddy from Dorset.

Mr Kitcher admitted that he and some of his friends have struggled with their mental health and says “there’s not enough help for farmers”.

He said farmers were “over-worked and over-think things and I think that’s why people have been giving up lately and don’t want to ask for help”.

A recent survey from the Farm Safety Foundation found 94% of UK farmers under 40 rank poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today.

“I just want to do a bit more to get help for people and raise awareness, there’s not a lot I can do other than do some fundraising,” Mr Kitcher said.

The trio have raised more than £1,000 so far and Mr Kitcher joked that there was a poster with his face on “on every lamp post in the local area”, as friends and family have been showing support.

Mr Kitcher has 11 vintage tractors that he takes to shows and said he will take an old 1954 Fordson Major for the journey, with Mr Parsons taking a Ford 6710.

He said getting the old tractors ready has been a “walk in the park”, despite having to completely rebuild the engine on Mr Macey’s Nuffield 10/60.

The vintage vehicles travel at an average speed of 18mph and they are hoping other drivers will be forgiving when stuck behind them on the roads.

Mr Kitcher is anticipating it will take them between five to 10 days to complete the trek, which will see them camping along the route.

He said it will be a “great experience” for them all, especially for 21-year-old Mr Macey, who “has never left Dorset before”.