Wick man launches Ferguson tractor Jogle record attempt to fight MND
Tractor enthusiast Pete Burdass from Wick is setting off on a record breaking adventure as he raises money to fight motor neurone disease (MND).
Pete will be driving his 1949 Ferguson TED20 tractor over 1200 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End (Jogle) – a journey which has never been completed before by this famous tractor.
The journey is expected to take 12 days and will be supported by a team of friends who will make sure that the almost 80-year-old tractor makes it to its destination. All of the support team have been chosen as they have all been affected by MND.
Pete’s journey will start at the top of Scotland on the 4th of June, travelling down the eastern side of the country instead of the more direct route most take, and journeying through the village Pete grew up in called Leven, East Yorkshire.
From there Pete will travel across to Coventry to visit the old Banner Lane site, where the Fergie tractor was originally built back in 1949, before setting off again the following morning from the Coventry Transport Museum. He will then set off to complete the huge journey, arriving at Lands End on June 15.
Speaking about the challenge, Pete said: “I am doing this to raise much needed money and awareness for the Motor Neuron Disease Association, because our mum died from the same disease on her 60th birthday, and I would like to give something back by doing something extra special that has never been done before.”
Pete will be joined on his journey by Ted, his Teddy Bear mascot, who has been characterised from a photograph of Pete’s late grandad. Ted has been doing his part, being Pete’s “wingman” over the last year and selling raffle tickets for a chance to take him home to a new forever home. The winning ticket will be picked out at random by a celebrity upon the completion of the journey.
Visit The Little Grey Fergie Challenge fundraising page to sponsor him: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-little-grey-fergie-challenge
Pete added: “Its going to be a very emotional journey, and hard work planning such a massive task, but it will be worth the endless sleepless nights when we arrive at Land`s End.”
