Rare Ford tractor to be sold for son’s transplant hospital
Michael and Ed Burdge © Cheffins A North Somerset agricultural machinery dealer is auctioning a rare Ford tractor to raise funds for the hospital that saved his son’s life.
Michael Burdge, who founded an agricultural machinery business near Bristol, has donated his 1991 Ford 7810 Silver Jubilee tractor to support the Royal Papworth Hospital Charity.
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The limited-edition tractor, valued at £25,000-£30,000, will be sold through agricultural auctioneers Cheffins in November, with all proceeds going towards improving facilities for patients and families at the hospital.
The donation follows the life-saving treatment Michael’s son Ed received at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge four years ago.
Aged just 17, Ed was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and spent three months in hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic before undergoing a heart transplant.
He has since recovered and established his own business.
Michael said: “When my son Ed became seriously ill, Royal Papworth became my family’s whole world.
“During Ed’s time at the hospital, we experienced first-hand the incredible care and compassion shown by staff, but we also saw how important the hospital environment is for patients and families facing long stays.”
Funding improvements
The money raised will support the charity’s Brighter Spaces, Brighter Futures appeal, funding improvements to two inpatient day rooms, including comfortable seating and facilities for families.
Oliver Godfrey, head of machinery sales at Cheffins, said: “The Silver Jubilee is a particularly collectable tractor, being a rare, limited-edition.
“We would expect that this will attract much interest at auction, particularly bearing in mind its provenance of having been a part of Michael’s collection.”
Cheffins has waived its fees and commission to ensure the full proceeds benefit the charity.
The tractor will be offered as part of the Michael Burdge Collection timed online auction, with bidding opening at 10am on Monday 2 November and closing at 10am on Tuesday 10 November.
A viewing day will be held on Tuesday 3 November, from 10am to 4pm, with bidding available through the Cheffins website.
