It looks like the Fergie tractor boys from Parkes are at it again with another fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
In 2023 the group took eight 70-year-old Ferguson TEA 20 tractors on a 600km journey out of Bourke over six days to raise almost $40,000 for prostate cancer awareness.
It seems they had so much fun that they’ve upped the ante and are heading off again.
“We decided that if we lifted our game a bit we could aim high and try to reach $100,000 this time!” Laughed organiser Richard Jefferay.
Between him, Brenton Trainor and Lindsay Wall they decided on Bourke to Birdsville for this year’s trek with the plan (weather permitting) to travel through Louth and Wanaaring, then further west to Tibooburra and Innamincka, then north to Birdsville.
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The planned route is just over 1200km, and with 12 days allocated to the trek and plenty of unsealed roads, there’ll no doubt be some sore bums and weary bodies after an average of 100km per day.
As you can imagine, there’s no comfort in a 70-year-old tractor, but by all accounts the mechanics in the crew have been working tirelessly to have them running the best they can at a little over 20km/h.
The team of nine embarking on this epic journey between August 11 and 22 includes Richard Jefferay, Lindsay Wall, Brenton Trainor, Rodney Barnes, Mitch Jefferay, Dave O’Grady, Troy Parker, Al O’Grady and Daniel McIntyre.
Most thankfully are mechanics and the rest are pretty capable, so they’re prepared for most things given their experience from 2023.
There’ll be a small support team to help feed the crew and handle any mishaps, and with the route being so remote, the boys will all be sleeping rough in swags by the side of the roads.
“Whenever we can we always try to support any local towns for meals and the occasional beer – just to be sociable,“ Richard laughed.
“With Tyrepower having the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia as its major charity that helps to promote the fundraiser through my business as well."
Closer to the cause though is Richard’s dad Dick Jefferay who has survived his own battle with prostate cancer and knows all too well the value of support.
He’s still undergoing treatment but hopes to make the trek as part of the support crew.
Incredibly with more than two months still to go until they start their engines, the team has already raised $83,122.
Richard’s fundraising was recently supercharged by a charity auction at the Tyrepower International Conference, pulling in over $150,000 for prostate cancer research and support.
"We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far and look forward to hitting the road again," Richard said.
For those wanting to help out with sponsorship or donations you can talk to Richard at Tyrepower in Parkes or any of the other drivers too.
Or if you would like to make a donation, large or small you can follow the link fundraise.pcfa.org.au/tractortrek or scan the QR code available.
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