Olly Harrison and team complete #CombineChallenge to raise money for mental health and cancer charities

A mammoth road trip which has seen four friends drive a combine harvester from John o' Groats to Land's End in support of mental health charity MIND and Children with Cancer UK has raised more than £35,000.

clock • 1 min read
The #CombineChallenge team - Olly Harrison, John Branson, James Baldini and Martin Williams
Image:

The #CombineChallenge team - Olly Harrison, John Branson, James Baldini and Martin Williams

Merseyside arable farmer Olly Harrison set off from John o' Groats on June 4 and headed south, arriving at Land's End this morning (June 8).

Olly and his four friends, John Branson, James Baldini and Martin Williams, who have all suffered the loss of close friends through suicide, have received the backing of several celebrities along the way, including BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson and Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adam Henson (@adamhenson_)

Despite the chosen combine being a Claas Lexion 8700, other machinery manufacturers including John Deere and Fendt have also shown their support to the charity trek.

Olly said: "It's been an incredible experience, the support from everyone, from members of the public and other road users has been phenomenal and thankfully we've had no issues with the traffic at all. We've covered about 200 miles a day and 875 miles in total. The hardest thing has been sleeping because of the road noise!"

The team said chose the biggest machine possible to highlight the fact that mental health is a big issue for farmers throughout the country. The group has also said it was pleased to partner with Claas, which chose to support Children with Cancer UK - the company's charity of the year, for the event.

In order to minimise the team's environmental impact, the combine ran on Certas Energy HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fossil-free fuel.

The combine will be heading to Devon and Cheshire Shows, before arriving at the Cereals Event at the Thoresby Estate early next week, where The Wurzels will perform next to it.

To donate, visit justgiving.com

More on Farm Life

VIDEO: Christmas with Clarkson's Farm star Harriet Cowan - "I never thought farming would be achievable"

VIDEO: Christmas with Clarkson's Farm star Harriet Cowan - "I never thought farming would be achievable"

In this Christmas in the Countryside special, Emily Ashworth visits new Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan to talk about her farming life, and, of course, Christmas in the Cowan household

clock 21 December 2025 • 7 min read
Consumers protect Christmas food spend despite budget cuts

Consumers protect Christmas food spend despite budget cuts

New survey says Christmas 2025 will see consumers blend tradition with convenience

clock 20 December 2025 • 2 min read
SAYFC secures major match-funding for new Young Farmers centre

SAYFC secures major match-funding for new Young Farmers centre

The organisation has issued an urgent call for further donations to ensure construction can start in 2026

clock 18 December 2025 • 3 min read