Cork farmer Barry O’Regan, is raising money for the Irish Heart Foundation and is urging all farmers to make sure they get their heart checked following his own scare.

At 35, the father of one, who also works in Dairygold, started to notice that he wasn’t feeling well and although diagnosed with a heart issue in school, he admits he never took the matter seriously or knew enough about it.

Pictured at the launch of the Barry O' Regan Just Giving fundraising page in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation which is supported by all the local tillage farmers and agri contractors are Ricky Forrest, Brendan Casey, Jim Wall, John Dunne and Barry O' Regan, Youghal. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barryoregan

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He tried to ignore the issue but eventually collapsed and was diagnosed with heart failure. He was in hospital for 28 days and thankfully recovered, but now helps to organise a charity tractor run in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation.

Farmers can often be negligent about their own health and during lockdown there have been increased concerns that health issues are being ignored.

Anne Riordan from the Irish Heart Foundation said: "We’re great to get the car or tractor serviced, we check the pressure on our tyres, change the oil – if we only looked after ourselves as well.”

Mogeely Vintage Club in East Cork launch the Barry O' Regan Just Giving fundraising page in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation which is supported by all the local vintage clubs and machinery dealers on the farm of Dave McDonnell, Midleton, Co Cork. Included in the picture are Lucinda McNerney, Irish Heart Foundation, Barry O' Regan, Youghal, Katie Casey, Irish Heart Foundation and members of the Mogeely Vintage Club. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barryoregan

Over the last three years, the tractor run has raised €50,000 and is hoping to continue that this year. For more information, visit - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barryoregan.