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Tractor run to honour young farmer raises £10,000

Philip Case 30 September 2015
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© Nathan Notley (Facebook)© Nathan Notley (Facebook)

A tractor run held in memory of a young farmer who died in a tragic farm accident raised more than £10,000 for his family.

Nick Jones, 26, died when he suffered multiple injuries after falling into a Keenan mixer wagon while silaging on a farm in Hensol, Mid Glamorgan, south Wales on 23 May 2015.

Friends and family of the popular father-of-two, from Bridgend, organised a classic tractor road run to celebrate his life.

See also: Tractor run held in memory of tragic young farmer

Organisers said 183 tractors turned up to take part in the run, which raised more than £10,000 to put in a trust fund for Mr Jones and his partner Angharad’s two young sons, aged three and five.

The run, on Sunday 20 September, started at Llanilid Farm, Pencoed, and stopped off at Keepers Lodge Farm, Pontyclun – the two farms where Mr Jones worked.

A charity auction was held at Keepers Lodge Farm, prizes included a Real Madrid shirt signed by Welsh international Gareth Bale, tickets to watch Wales play Italy in the Rugby World Cup and tickets to watch horse racing at Ffos Las Racecourse.

“It was a happy event to mark a tragic event,” said organiser Wayne Griffiths, farm manager at Llanilid Farm.

“The response from people was overwhelming. The donations we had from different people were fantastic.”

“Nick was one in a million. He was a fantastic workman and was more like a brother to me”
Wayne Griffiths, Llanilid Farm

Paying tribute to Mr Jones, Mr Griffiths said: “Nick was one in a million. He was a fantastic workman and was more like a brother to me.

“He loved his two sons and his family dearly. His two passions were farming and supporting Liverpool Football Club.

“Nobody had a bad word to say about him. We are all missing him terribly. But he will never be forgotten.”

Mr Griffiths said Mr Jones was a careful worker who always thought about safety when farming.

“Nick grew up on the farm. He was a knowledgable chap,” he added. “He was the type of person you only had to show something to once.

“His death was a tragic accident. It has come as a tremendous shock to the whole farming community.

“Everybody who knew him is devastated. I do not think I will ever get over it.”

His family is too distraught to comment on the tragedy.

Mr Griffiths said he planned to hold a tractor run every year in memory of Mr Jones.

“We hope to continue to make this an annual event,” he said. “We would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support.

“I hope people carry on supporting us in the future years.”

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Jones’ death and a coroner is due to publish a report soon.

To make a donation to Mr Jones’ trust fund contact Mr Griffiths on 07866 495 064.

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