Combine harvester to travel the length of the UK in aid of charity
30th May 2023
A team of four farmers has resolved to undertake the daring challenge of driving a combine harvester along the famed John o’ Groats to Land’s End route to raise awareness
A team of four farmers has resolved to undertake the daring challenge of driving a combine harvester along the famed John o’ Groats to Land’s End route to raise awareness and funds for Mind mental health charity and Children with Cancer UK.
The charity event is set to take place between 4th and 8th June and will involve a total distance of around 875 miles. Drivers Olly Harrison, John Branson, James Baldini and Martin Williams are aiming to complete around 200 miles per day, allowing the final day to be slightly shorter for arrival at Land’s End in daylight.
Each member of the team has previously lost a close friend due to suicide, which they believe could have been prevented by talking and offering timely, compassionate support.
To illustrate the magnitude of mental health challenges in farming across the country, the team has chosen the largest agricultural machine for their fundraiser, supported by German machinery manufacturer Claas.
The drive will be completed over a span of five days, starting at John O’Groats in Scotland with overnight stops at Sellars Agriculture Ltd Perth, Rickerby Ltd Carnforth, Cotswold Farm Park and Hamblys Ltd Launceston. Due to the machine being 3.49m wide and limited in speed, the route will exclude motorways.
To ensure the challenge is completed with a minimal impact on the environment, the combine, owned by farmer and Youtuber Olly Harrison, will be running on Certas Energy HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fossil-free fuel.
Following the charity event, the machine will be exhibited at Cereals 2023, taking place at Thoresby Estate, Newark, on 13th and 14th June.
The journey will be featured on Olly’s Youtube channel where those interested can follow the latest updates. To donate to the Combine Challenge fundraiser, visit the team’s JustGiving page here.
