Two Harper Adams Agricultural Engineering students are setting off on an intrepid adventure travelling more than 15,000 miles across 22 countries to reach Mongolia in a Mazda MX-5.
Jonathan Glen, 23, from County Cavan, Ireland, and Alan Walker, 24, from Rushden, Northamptonshire, are taking part in the notoriously tough Mongol Rally in a bid to raise £5,000 for the Farming Community Network.
The charity helps more than 60,000 people a year with a variety of issues, including mental and physical health.
Jonathan said: “We are doing this because mental health in agriculture matters.
“Having had my own battle with mental health while farming, I appreciate the seriousness of the cause.”
The epic voyage involves tackling some of the most challenging roads in the world – including the famed Pamir Highway.
The journey will be physically demanding for the self-titled ‘MX-Farmers’ and their 22-year-old Mazda, which they have been making modifications to in the Harper engineering workshop.
In a bid to reduce the stigma around mental health, Jonathan is documenting the journey on social media.
He posted his first video introducing himself, the car and why he is taking on such a huge challenge with the help of his best friend Alan, in the start of his candid ‘My Mental Journey’ post.
“I realise that what I was experiencing wasn’t normal and that I actually had depression. There are so many farmers – people in agriculture – who are in the position as me but aren’t so fortunate to have the right people around them to help recognise these issues.
“Unfortunately, there’s a culture where if you try to discuss these things people don’t understand – they might tell you to ‘man up’.
It’s no wonder that the suicide rate in agriculture is three times that of the accidental fatality rate. I’ve experienced and I recognise how isolated farming can be.
“I am documenting my own journey to show how anyone could battle with mental health and how important it is to talk about it.
“It’s about raising awareness and getting the message across that you can talk about mental health in agriculture.”
Simon Pride, director of marketing at Harper Adams, said he was “proud” to the pair their courageous endeavour.
“Through taking on this epic challenge they are helping to reduce the stigma around mental health and raise money for a charity which does so much for the farming community – it shows true Harper spirit,” he said.
Alan also aims to raise £500 for Kettering General Hospital’s Charity Fund.
