A group of friends are reuniting to undertake a long-distance charity tractor run using the same vehicle they used for a similar challenge back in the 1980s, to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance.
Martin Beynon, a surveyor from Llanedi, is bringing together his old Llandybie Young Farmers Club gang, also affectionately known as ‘The Fergie Boys’.
He said: “It’s a special year for Wales Air Ambulance as it marks its 25th anniversary.
“We also lost Alun, one of the old gang last year, so as group we felt the time was right to do something special.”
Back in 1988, Martin, Arwel, Brian, Iwan, Steve and Alun were young men who decided to go on a charity tractor run to a National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs event, which was being held in Bournemouth.
Martin said: “We became aware that young farmers clubs elsewhere were doing fundraising activities enroute to the event and we thought we could do something ourselves.
“So, we decided to drive a vintage Ferguson tractor on the 215-mile trip in aid of local charities and raised about £2,000.”
His family have a strong farming background, and up until five years ago Martin bred pedigree Simmental cattle as a hobby.
He said: “The Ferguson tractor had been used on the farm for almost 40 years and was showing its age. Having given up farming, I decided that I should save the old tractor and set about restoring it.
“My original plan was to make some essential repairs and give her a little clean up, but one thing led to another, and it has resulted in a full restoration. You could say it has been a labour of love!
“However, I would never have completed it without the help and expert advice of Eddie Thomas, an old family friend and a retired Massey Ferguson mechanic”.
When he mentioned to the gang that he was restoring the “old Fergie” and suggested they should do another charity run, they were all keen to get involved.
He said: “It’s going to be nostalgic trip down memory lane as the ‘Fergie Boys’ ride again!”
Fellow Fergie Boy and Llanedi Farmer, Brian Richards, added: “When we first started talking about what we wanted to do, we knew it should be a trip across Wales and would have to be in aid of a pan-Wales Charity.
“We decided that the trip would start at Anglesey show and finish at Llandeilo Show, covering 200 miles. There was no hesitation from any of us when Wales Air Ambulance was suggested. It is an outstanding service and serves the people of Wales 24/7.”
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
The Fergie Boys said: “You cannot help but be in awe of the crew! They carry out thousands of missions each year and travel the length and breadth of Wales.
“That’s why we are doing something which enable us to cover off a large part of the country. During our trip we will dip in and out of rural events from the North, through Mid and down to West Wales.
“We will spend a couple of days at Anglesey Show, before kicking off our challenge. On Day two, we’ll drive to the livestock market in Ruthin, where we hope to drum up further support, before heading to Carmarthen livestock market to do the same.
“The final leg will take us to the Llandeilo Show, where we will meet up with members of Llandybie Young Farmers, so taking it full circle, to where it all began for us.”
The Fergie Boys will set off on Wednesday 12 August 2026 and finish their journey on Saturday 15 August 2026.
Christian Sullivan, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager said: “What a wonderful way to raise money for an essential service, by recreating a journey made in younger years!
“This is a full 360 moment for Martin and The Fergie Boys, who are reuniting almost 40 years after their original tractor run, to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance.
“We are hugely grateful that it is firing on all cylinders and ready to take on a 200-mile journey in aid of our lifesaving service. Diolch yn fawr iawn!”
