A Co Cavan farmer and cancer sufferer is raffling off a vintage 1965 Massey 135 in aid of cancer charities.

Norman Wilson, a farmer from Cootehill, restored the tractor himself and will raffle it off in October.

After receiving a mouth cancer diagnosis almost four years ago, Norman wanted to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society Research Fund, the Oncology Unit at Cavan General Hospital, Cavan/Monaghan Palliative Care and Cootehill Cancer.

Fully restored

A busy full-time dairy farmer, Norman has had to step away from the farm due to his illness and his son, who was a first-year agricultural science student at the time, has taken over the family farm full-time.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, family friend Oliver Smith said Norman was always interested in vintage tractors and wanted to give something back and with more time on his hands, he was able to restore it himself.

“It’s a beautiful tractor and a huge amount of time and expense has gone into restoring it, including mechanical work, sand blasting and a new cab, most of which Norman has done himself while still receiving chemotherapy,” said Oliver.

Exceeding expectations

Family and friends have been selling raffle tickets at many agricultural shows, including the Virginia Show on Wednesday, and ticket sales have exceeded expectations.

“It’s a real eye catcher and gets a lot of attention at shows, and as well, the subject of cancer is something that really resonates with people,” said Oliver.

“It has been way more successful than we thought, but we are not sitting on our laurels and want to maximise its purpose and raise as much money as possible.”

The raffle will take place at the end of October.