Friends to recreate vintage Ferguson journey nearly 40 years on in aid of Wales Air Ambulance
A GROUP of former Young Farmers are preparing to climb back aboard the same vintage Ferguson tractor they drove almost four decades ago as they reunite for a 200-mile charity journey in support of Wales Air Ambulance.
The friends, affectionately known as the “Fergie Boys”, will travel from Anglesey to Llandeilo in August 2026, raising money for the lifesaving charity as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The reunion has been organised by Llanedi surveyor Martin Beynon, who said the challenge would also honour the memory of their friend and fellow Fergie Boy, Alun, who died last year.
“It’s a special year for Wales Air Ambulance as it marks its 25th anniversary,” he said.
“We also lost Alun, one of the old gang, last year, so as a group we felt the time was right to do something special.”
The original tractor run took place in 1988 when Martin, Arwel, Brian, Iwan, Steve and Alun drove a vintage Ferguson tractor 215 miles to a National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs event in Bournemouth, raising around £2,000 for local charities along the way.
Martin said the tractor had worked on his family’s farm for almost 40 years before he decided to restore it after giving up farming.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
After mentioning the restoration to his old friends, the idea of another charity challenge quickly gathered momentum.
“It’s going to be a nostalgic trip down memory lane as the Fergie Boys ride again,” Martin added.
Fellow organiser and Llanedi farmer Brian Richards said the group wanted this year’s journey to benefit a charity serving communities across the whole of Wales.
“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,” he said.
“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 hours a day, seven days a week.”
During the four-day challenge, the group will attend Anglesey Show before travelling via Ruthin Livestock Market and Carmarthen Livestock Market, finishing at Llandeilo Show where they will be welcomed by members of Llandybie Young Farmers Club, bringing the journey full circle.
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 enables us to cover 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.”
Wales Air Ambulance relies entirely on public donations to raise the £13 million needed each year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road. Working alongside the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), its consultant-led crews provide hospital-level critical care at the scene of emergencies across Wales.
Christian Sullivan, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance, welcomed the fundraising effort.
He 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!”
The charity tractor run is due to begin on Wednesday, August 12, and finish on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
