Ferguson Tractor on Charity Mission - Spring / Summer 2009
See below
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Vice Chairman and Sufflok Area Rep - John Selley recalls the history of "Jack" and its current Charity Mission.
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Hi Folks. My name is Jack – the CLIC-Sargent awareness tractor.
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As that is my role in life I will begin by telling you a bit about the charity, CLIC-Sargent. It was formed some years ago now by the coming together of CLIC, Cancer and Leukaemia in Children, and Sir Malcolm Sargent’s Children’s Cancer charity. CLIC-Sargent is the largest UK children’s Cancer charity, and it offers support to children and young people who have been diagnosed as having cancer, and their families. My owner, John Selley, my owner, has a personal reason for asking me to help raise awareness and, hopefully, funds
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Now a bit about me. Well I was made in 1954 and first registered, as GJL 763, to Mr George Casswell Mowbray of Mornington House, Gosbarton Clough, Spalding in Lincolnshire on the 15th October. I remained with Mr Mowbray until May 1968 when he sold me to A Rhodes and Son Ltd at Surfleet.
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I am a Ferguson TEF 20 tractor with a rather distinctive look! My ‘chassis’ and wheels are grey, as you would expect, but my wings and bonnet are a rather fetching shade of fuchsia, the CLIC-Sargent colour. My name is in gold down each side of my bonnet. I have had a total make-over. My owner bought me from an advert in Tractor and Machinery which read something like ‘TEF project tractor. All there, just wants putting together’ I am told the deal was done on the basis he bought lunch for the vendor at the local pub and it would be a homemade steak and kidney pudding!
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When I arrived in the village, mid November 2006, John was so shocked at ‘the devastation’ he insisted that it be unloaded before lunch, and most certainly before his wife saw what he had bought! As most of it lived up to the adverts description he immediately named me Jack (Jack in a box!), he says for the interest of his grandchildren Thomas and Emily. I’m not too sure! I must say I did feel for John and really felt HE should have been paid to take me!
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The following is what happened to me mechanically. My engine was removed and dismantled, my crank was ground, my head was skimmed, new seats and valve guides fitted with new valves and springs. New rings were fitted to my pistons and my bores were honed having first fitted the missing sleeve. I must say that I was very relieved to have Steve come on the scene as I really think I would still be in boxes!
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Norman Waspe, just recovering from heart surgery, gave my hydraulic system a make over. That gave me a lift!
It was time now for Steve to wire brush me, it didn’t half tickle, then a coat of etch primer which made me look as if I had just returned from Iraq.(Photo 2) A couple of coats of undercoat and then the piece de resistance, the top coat and that lovely gloss finish. I felt a million dollars. Stuart painted my bonnet and wings that super shade of fuschia and those very nice people at R H Claydon’s gave me some lovely new tyres.
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I was already for the AGM/AMW at Newmarket. I didn’t have my name in gold on my bonnet then but very shortly afterwards.
I felt very proud when I entered the ring at The Woolpit Steam Fayre in May 2007 and again at Wings Wheels and Steam in the June. Everybody was very kind and put money in my collecting box. I am the only tractor with a collecting box!
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I get fan mail too. Karen at the CLIC-Sargent office keeps E Mailing me. (I think she is in love with me!)
I enjoyed the AGM/AMW at Bradford. I had the Mayor of St Edmundsbury send me off and it was reported in our local paper and Farmer’s Weekly.(Photo 3) It was a very hairy ride back from the Keighley and Worth Valley station at Oxenhope to the Ramada hotel on Kenny’s lorry, and Kenny though so as well! He made some comment about something called Sat Nav which I didn’t understand
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2nd July 2009.
Hi Folks,
I’m in a pretty downbeat mood today. I have just heard that a 14 year old, Liam Fairhurst from Cambridgeshire, died on Tuesday just 4 years after being diagnosed with cancer.
In Liam’s short life he touched the lives of many, many people and in doing so raised a staggering £320,000. He did all this in memory of his best friend, also called Jack, who died of bladder cancer in 2005,
He met the Prime Minister, went to the William’s Formula 1 team HQ, and in 2007 received the Diana Award in recognition of his fundraising efforts.
In July 2008 Liam was recognised by the Institute of Fundraising as Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year at an industry ceremony.
In August 2008, with his fundraising total standing at around £250,000, Liam is voted Britain’s Kindest Kid in a Five News/Charities Aid Foundation competition.
In October 2008 Liam’s selfless determination to continue fundraising leads to a Child of Courage Award, presented by Sir Richard Branson and Rebecca Adlington, at the Pride of Britain Awards in London.
What a quite remarkable young man!
So now you understand why I want to make you aware of CLIC-Sargent
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So here I am in Aberdeen, just about to set out visiting the local shows and I hope raising money for such a good cause. So why don’t you sponsor me, perhaps a few pennies for every mile I travel, by what ever means, lorry, on my own or even on the ferry, or perhaps 50p or a £1 for every show I appear at.
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++LATEST - The Ferguson Club AGM 09 raffle raised £44.35 for CLIC-Sargent
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10th June 2009 - "A Complaint"
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Hi Folks, Jack, The CLIC-Sargent awareness tractor here. I’ve just received a complaint, and that has made me sad. It is from Emily who is 7. Emily is my owner’s granddaughter and she was with her Grandpa at The Ravenwood Hotel when the Mayor of St Edmundsbury sent me off on my travels. Emily complains that she had worn her best dress and cardigan, both of which were a much better colour match to the CLIC-Sargent colour than me, and yet not one picture featured her! I’ve had a word with her mum and dad and they say it’s OK, so here are two pictures of Emily to put the matter right!
 
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I will be keeping you informed through my blog on these pages. Please help me help CLIC-Sargent help a sick child with cancer. It is a really good cause.
 
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