Several Massey Ferguson UK dealers have been involved fundraising initiatives across the past year, raising valuable money for charities close to the hearts of employees, while supporting awareness of mental health issues, through events to bring farmers together and reduce isolation.
LINKLATER ENGINEERING
MF’s most northerly UK dealer, Linklater Engineering, was one of the main agri-businesses who sponsored two nights with Perthshire farmer and well-known agricultural comedian, Jim Smith.
The shows took place at the Orkney Theatre, as part of the wider #KeepTalking Highlands and Islands tour, organised by agricultural support charity, RSABI. Jim’s unique style of stand-up comedy is well-known across Scotland and England, and the packed shows entertained 730 people, raising a grand total of £6,422.
RSABI’s #KeepTalking initiative aims to encourage those living and working in Scotland’s agricultural communities to reach out and connect with friends, family and neighbours and look after their own mental health. RSABI provides practical, emotional and financial support to people involved in the Scottish agricultural industry.
CARR’S BILLINGTON
A gruelling 195-mile cycle ride across the north of England in early October was completed by 11 members of the Carr’s Billington machinery department, raising money for three deserving causes.
The coast-to-coast ride began in Portpatrick on the west coast of Scotland, finishing at Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, located in Northumberland, England. The riders also made several scheduled stops at Carr’s Billington machinery depots along the route.
Setting off on Friday 3rd October, the riders had to contend with Storm Amy, along with Scotland and northern England’s unforgiving topography. Just two punctures were the only mechanical issues with the finish line safely reached at 3pm on Sunday, welcomed by family and friends.
Funds were raised for The Billington Foundation and the two nominated charities – Well Child & People First. A final total of £16,340 was raised for the worthy causes.
THURLOW NUNN STANDEN (TNS)
2025 marked 150 years of trading for long-standing East-Anglian MF dealer, TNS, who set an ambitious target of raising £150,000 for Dementia UK across the year. The charity was chosen for its role in supporting the late John Thurlow following his diagnosis with dementia.
Central to the fundraising effort was the auction of a Massey Ferguson 135, that was originally sold new through TNS in 1971 to the National Stud, before being purchased in 2010 by John Thurlow. Sold through a local auctioneer’s regular monthly sale, the MF 135 was purchased by Henry Woodfield, a customer of John Thurlow for over 40 years.
A range of fundraising events have taken place across the year from sponsored walks; BBQs; pub quizzes; a 24-hour pool marathon; car washes; sky dives; parachute jumps; clay pigeon shoots and a charity tractor run. The current total has now passed £107,000 thanks to a monumental effort by the whole team.
TNS has remained family owned for six generations and now operates from 5 agricultural depots across Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. It’s likely that the business is the longest operating distributor of Massey Ferguson – formerly Massey Harris – in the world.
PEACOCK AND BINNINGTON (P&B)
Continually raising awareness of the vital work carried out by Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) and providing regular opportunities for the rural people to engage with the charity, has been part of MF dealer Peacock and Binnington’s charity work for the past 16 years.
The dealer ensures the charity is regularly visible at local shows and events, with an office at Louth cattle market providing year-round support, while monthly health clinics are held at Brigg and Corringham depots. The work LRSN does is vital to support rural and farming communities.
P&B also provide a dedicated space for LRSN at the Lincolnshire Show, while this year the LRSN logo was added to P&B’s branded air freshers, which are hung in all machines sold through the dealership.
CRAWFORDS GROUP
115 tractors took part in a charity Christmas tractor run on 6 December 2025 raising money for Essex and Herts air ambulance. This is the fourth year that MF dealer, Crawfords Group, has hosted the event from its depot at Writtle, Essex.
The event has grown in popularity each year, with tractors decorated in festive outfits to entertain watching crowds. The tractor run is jointly organised by Crawfords and Liz Lyons and family, a longstanding Crawfords customer from North Benfleet, Essex. Liz’s son’s life was saved when he required air lifting to hospital following an accident 11 years ago.
The circular route takes in the surrounding villages of Ongar, Stondon Massey, Blackmore and Highwood, with Crawfords’ demonstrator MF 8S.305 taking part on the run this year. So far, around £13,000 has been raised.
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