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Tractor run helps young people's mental health

More than 100 tractors travel around Dorset towns and villages for a mental health charity

Dozens of farmers have gathered in Dorset for the fourth annual charity tractor run, in a bid to help young people with their mental health.

Lesley Paddy set up the charity #Willdoes in memory of her son, William, who took his own life, aged 14, in 2020.

It funds sports and other activities for young people across the county and the surrounding areas.

This year's event run saw 116 tractors turn out - all decked in Christmas lights - and travel to villages and towns including Dorchester, Bovington, Wool, Affpuddle, Tolpuddle and Broadmayne.

Lesely is wearing a green coat with a white reflective hi-viz jacket on top. She has an orange woolly hat on with Willdoes written on the front of it. She is standing in front of a line of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and decorations.
Lesley Paddy started the tractor run in memory of her son William

"It is my favourite event as we have so many young people here, they can drive a tractor at the age of 16," Ms Paddy said.

"For me it's quite an emotional event because my son would have been 21 next year."

Tractors less than 2.45m (8ft) wide can be driven from the age of 16.

Bryony is wearing a black and green coat. She has brown hair with blond highlights. Kian is wearing a green coat and he has blond hair. The couple are standing in a field with rows of tractors behind them.
Bryony Vaughan and Kian Merry run the event every year

Event organisers Bryony Vaughan and Kian Merry said: "We estimated about 100 this year.

"We had 80 last year, 110 the year before and 90 something before that.

"It gets bigger and bigger each year."

They said they had changed the route over the years but Dorchester always had "a very good turn out".

The event raised £5,000 this year.

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