A farming charity volunteer is planning a 500-mile tractor challenge in memory of a young farmer who died from sepsis.

Helen Benson will travel a route taking in marts across the region on a David Brown 880.

She is aiming to complete the 500-plus mile challenge in just nine days, and will set off from Leyburn mart, before visiting Pateley Bridge, Darlington, Ruswarp, Malton, York, Hull, Selby, Holmfirth, Otley, Skipton, Bentham, Hawes, Northallerton and Thirsk.

Along the way, Helen, who is a volunteer for the farming charity FCN, hopes to be joined by others in the farming community – partly to keep her company and partly to raise money for FCN, which offers essential support to farmers and their families in times of difficulty.

She is also raising money for the Sepsis Trust which is increasing awareness of the condition in a bid to stop preventable deaths and support those affected by sepsis.

Hannah Brown, originally from Newton-le-Willows, died from sepsis aged just 26 in March 2021, and the tractor run is in her memory. She was a hugely popular figure in farming communities across the north, and well known on the livestock showing circuit.

The Northern Farmer:

Each day the tractor run will start at 10am and Helen is inviting anyone interested to join her.

She will start at Leyburn mart on May 26 at 10am. Stephen Walker, market manager and senior auctioneer, said: “Leyburn Mart wish to offer their full support to Helen Benson on her fundraising tractor run for the UK Sepsis Trust and look forward to welcoming Helen and her comrades to the mart during her journey.”

A full itinerary is available on her Facebook page, which can be found by searching Helen Benson’s Great Yorkshire Tractor Run.

A £10 donation to FCN will be requested for every tractor joining in and the whole event will reach its climax at the annual Tractor Fest at Newby Hall, Ripon on June 10/11.

Helen can be contacted on 07749 896060, helenmjbenson@hotmail.com or fcnyorkshire@gmail.com.