Tractor run raises thousands for DPJ Foundation
DPJ tractor run © Gary Jones Photography More than 120 tractors took part in the annual Drefach charity tractor run on Sunday (9 May), raising £3,670 for rural mental health charity the DPJ Foundation and Clwb Cledlyn Drefach.
The event included a strong turnout of classic and vintage machines, as drivers travelled a route through Llanybydder, Llanllwni mountain, Maesycrigiau and Llanwenog before returning to Drefach.
The run was organised by Peter Davies, who said the fundraising effort was inspired by the need to support farmers facing mental health challenges.
See also: Farmers encouraged to take action on mental health this May
“A farmer near where I live recently died by suicide.
“The DPJ are unique in the support they provide to the farming sector and we wanted to raise funds for them to keep supporting our farmers,” he said.
Halfway halt on Llanllwni Mountain © Gary Jones Photography
Before the 125 tractors set off, an auction and raffle were held, with Rhys Evans, of Evans Bros, acting as auctioneer.
Funds raised from the day will be split equally between the DPJ Foundation and Clwb Cledlyn Drefach.
Mr Davies, who took part in 41 tractor runs last year and usually takes either his Massey 35 or Massey 135, thanked the club members, marshals and local committee for helping organise the event.
Drivers and supporters gathered back in Drefach after the run, where food was provided to round off the day.
Tractors from Carmarthen supported the run © Gary Jones Photography
Trekking to Machu Picchu
A group of 16 people from across Wales will travel to Peru later this month to complete a four-day trek to Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountain, to support rural mental health charity the DPJ Foundation.
The challenge, which begins on 20 May, forms part of the charity’s 10th anniversary fundraising campaign and will bring together volunteers, farming industry supporters and family members.
The trek will be led by the charity’s founder, Emma O’Sullivan, who established the foundation following the tragic loss of her husband, Daniel Picton-Jones, to suicide.
Money raised from the trek will help fund services including the Share the Load counselling programme for people working in agriculture, alongside two mobile health hub lorries offering physical health checks and wellbeing support in rural areas.
Mrs O’Sullivan said: “This challenge is not only about pushing physical limits, but about continuing the conversation around mental health in agriculture.
“For the past 10 years, we’ve worked to ensure that no one in our rural communities feels they have to struggle alone.”
She added that rising demand and increasing costs meant fundraising remained vital to support the charity’s future work.
The Peru challenge is one of several events planned to mark the charity’s anniversary year, alongside a Wales-wide bike ride, a new podcast and a celebratory dinner at the Royal Welsh Show in July.
Those wishing to donate to the challenge can do so via the team’s fundraising page.
