A TRACTOR relay as part of a national campaign about suicide prevention in the farming industry will visit Worcester this weekend.
Lynda and Andy Eadon tragically lost their son, Len, to suicide at 22 years of age.
‘Len’s Light’ is their vision to launch a national awareness campaign on the mental health issues which affect people in the rural community.
Andy is to drive a tractor more than 2,000 miles this summer, travelling through Scotland, England and Wales.
Along the length of this epic journey the tractor will visit many livestock markets. The couple will meet and talk to as many people as possible to reflect on issues of concern.
Lynda and Andy will visit the cattle market on Nunnery Way tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am.
The key message to be relayed along the route is: “no-one in the rural community should feel isolated or alone”
The couple want Len’s Light to encourage conversations about mental health and break down the stigma which is attached to suicide.
“It is so important everyone talks openly about how they are really feeling and to reach out for help when it is needed,” Lynda said.
“People need to be willing to really listen to these conversations and to pick up on any concerns”.
The journey will raise money for the national charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.
Their quest is to get their message to as many people as possible. With this in mind the route that the tractor will be following will call in at Livestock Markets along the way. Stopping to engage with people to talk, to listen and reflect. Kickstarting conversations about mental health and awareness.
At each of these markets they will be collecting up book – The Little, Big Book of Everyone, which will have previously been delivered. This will give people the opportunity to write a message, or experience they wish to share. On completion of Len’s Light relay, these books will be compiled to make one big book of hope and warmth, created by the rural community.
It is also their intention to open up an on-line petition to be delivered to Westminster in the autumn:
“To make mental health and farm safety statuary in all land based Agricultural Colleges and Universities”
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice, please contact HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email [email protected]
