Farmer appeals for vital wheelchair to sustain business

A Somerset farmer is calling for support to help him stay connected to the animals he loves, as he raises funds for a specialist all-terrain wheelchair.

Daniel Sully, 44, has cerebral palsy and uses a powered wheelchair to navigate his 6 acre smallholding on North Hill, Minehead, where he has farmed for 15 years.

He keeps Dexter cattle, ducks, chickens and a few lambs.

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“I have between six and 10 cows; these are all female. I have shown them at Dunster Show for many years and have won many rosettes,” he says.

Daniel’s condition limits his mobility and motor control, meaning he relies on carers – including his mum and brother.

They assist with daily farm tasks such as mucking out, feeding animals and watering plants.

“Life on the farm consists of: feeding the cows, chickens, ducks and lambs twice daily, making sure they have enough food, water, and bedding daily, checking if the areas are clean or if they need cleaning out, collecting duck and chicken eggs, and watering all the plants.

“At the moment, I am growing tomatoes and watermelons,” he says.

Daniel previously had a powered wheelchair that allowed him to move independently across the farm’s steep, uneven ground, but it is now broken and no longer manufactured.

Standard models are not suited to the farm’s off-road conditions.

“The main challenge at the moment is getting up the hill to see my animals as I don’t have the correct wheelchair to do so,” he says.

“I am fundraising for a new wheelchair that’s suitable for the farm, as this would make it easy for me to drive on the farm to see my animals.”

Winning rosettes for Daniel’s Dexter cattle © Daniel Sully

The replacement chair Daniel needs costs £11,495. He has set up a JustGiving page and has so far raised £250.

The cost is not covered by Adult Social Care funding, and Daniel’s Personal Independence Payment is already used to cover the running costs of his mobility vehicle.

Any income from the farm, including beef from a Dexter cow or lambs raised for meat, is reinvested into animal welfare and farm upkeep.

Daniel says being able to reach his animals is vital for his independence and wellbeing.

“I had a wheelchair that was great for driving up to see my animals and checking on the farm; however, it is now broken.

“Therefore, I am fundraising to buy another suitable farm wheelchair.”

Daniel’s fundraising page is open for donations.