YFC’s marathon plough raises funds for brain tumour charity

Axminster Young Farmers Club has raised more than £5,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity by ploughing for 24 hours straight, in memory of a former member who died last year.

The “ploughathon” started at 11am on Saturday 8 May and saw 24 club members each plough for an hour to complete the challenge at 11am the following morning.

Richard Lambert was a much-loved friend and supporter of the club and had helped run previous ploughing matches.

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Club leader Caroline Perry told Farmers Weekly: “All of the people involved knew him very well, he died from a brain tumour, so it is a really personal charity for us to raise money for.

“They have all done so well, I am really proud of them, they have worked so hard to put the event together, despite all the coronavirus restrictions.”

© Axminster Young Farmers Club

Farmer Fred Eames offered the use of his field, near Chard, and wrote a cheque of £1,000 for the 20ha ploughed.

Hamblys provided a Claas tractor for the weekend and the fuel was also sponsored.

Despite wet weather and mechanical issues with the plough, the club saw the challenge through and the total raised stands at £5,435, with donations still coming in.

Club chairman and dairy farmer Jon Turner said his first memories of Mr Lambert were him helping to run another of the club’s ploughathons about 10 years ago.

Mr Lambert taught the young farmer how to plough.

© Axminster Young Farmers Club

‘Big personality’

“He was a big personality in the community and I think that is why people have been so generous,” Mr Turner said.

“I would like to thank Lemken, Chris Bailey Engineering, and the agricultural contactors Tolley and WM Bright for their support.”

The event also gave some members with little ploughing experience the chance to test and improve their skills.

“There was only about half a dozen who had ploughed before and some hadn’t driven a tractor before, so it was a good experience,” Mr Turner added.