Driving 2,129 miles by tractor!

A local farmer’s wife sets off today on a 2,129-mile journey in a tractor to raise money for four charities.

Pauline Bennett, 57, farms a beef and sheep enterprise with her husband Tom Bennett and their three grown up children, Alex, Becky and Will at Tyn y Pant, Manafon. 

The NFU Welshpool member will depart the town for John O’Groats in the northern most tip of Scotland before heading all the way to the most southern part of England, Lands’ End and then returning to Welshpool.

The trek is expected to take 15 days.

“I have always wanted to do a big fundraising event and this year I feel is the time in which to do it.,” said Pauline. “Being a farmer’s daughter and wife, I have always driven tractors, and with the comfort of modern day tractors, I opted for this mode of transport!

“I am very much looking forward to the challenge and hope to gain as much support as possible. If you see me on my route, please give me a wave!”

Pauline will raise money for the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI) and the Welsh Air Ambulance.

Stephen Kenyon, Group Secretary, NFU Welshpool, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting Pauline with her charity tractor ride. Pauline will be waving the flag for NFU Welshpool as she hits the road for what is a fantastic challenge for truly wonderful causes.

“We will be heading down to the Welshpool Livestock Market on Monday to wave her off and encourage as many people to support her too.” 

The Tractor Trek 

Pauline will start the adventure on home soil at Welshpool Livestock Market today (Monday), leaving 12 noon.

She will head up the western side of Britain to the heights of Scotland to reach John O’Groats before coming back down the Eastern side of the country and then across to Lands’ End before finishing back at the Welshpool Livestock Market on July 23 at around 11.30am!

As an experienced tractor driver and dedicated farmer, it seemed the perfect vehicle choice for the journey.

A total of 2,129 miles will be covered over 15 days using a New Holland T6.175 Tractor kindly loaned by New Holland through Mr Jim Nash of Hallmark Tractors, Cubley, Derbyshire and towing an Ifor Williams Trailer.