THIS month a Yorkshireman, now living in Scotland, will be driving his 1949 Ferguson TED20 more than 1,200 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End -  a trip that has never before been done with this famous tractor - to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. 

From John O’Groats today, June 4, Pete Burdass will be driving down the east side of Scotland to where he grew up at Leven in East Yorkshire.

Supported by a team of friends who have all been affected by MND, he will also be calling at Coventry, the old Banner Lane site where the Fergie tractor was built back in 1949. 

Pete said: “I am doing this to raise much needed money and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.  

“It’s never been done before with a petrol paraffin Fergie, it runs on TVO (Tractor Vaporising Oil), so it’s going to be quite spectacular to achieve such a goal.

"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.

“MND offers so much support for those going through the distress of living with this debilitating and cruel disease, and of course the families who have to helplessly watch their loved ones deteriorate.”

He said he is still searching for his late grandfather’s Ferguson TED20 tractor, which he first learned to drive at an age of about three sitting on his knee, and fully restored his own Ferguson TED20 tractor and plough over the last two years.

“This is a massive task to undertake by any means, but especially hard for a tractor that will be 74 years-old. It’s a big ask of my family and friends who will be joining me, and supporting me along the journey. 

“The journey will take approximately 12 days to complete - one that needs a lot of preparation and planning.  I have full backing from the MND Association and MND Scotland,” he explained. 

With Pete will be his mascot, a teddy bear called Ted.  He has been Pete’s “wingman” over the past year selling raffle tickets with the prize being himself.  

Pete and his Little Grey Fergie is coming through the Mid Devon area, scheduled to be at Cowley Bridge at 3.40pm on Wednesday, June 14, then meeting other tractor owners at Mole Avon, Crediton at 4pm.  

With Pete driving through Crediton High Street, will be some members of Mid Devon Tractor, Engine and Machinery Group collecting on their tractors before heading for Barnstaple Cross, then on to Michael Thorne’s at Coldridge before Pete goes on to Lewdown for the night.  

It is all the more poignant for members of MDTEMG because some of their close friends and relatives have died because of MND. 

Pete plans to be at Strawberry Fields Farm Shop at Lifton by 10.30am the next day to finish at Lands End that night.  

Anyone wishing to help by sponsoring the Little Grey Fergie Challenge can find out more by heading to his JustGiving page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-little-grey-fergie-challenge .