Len’s Light campaign heads to Harper Adams University

More than 100 students and guests have attended a mental health awareness day at Harper Adams University, hosted by 2023 Farmers Weekly’s and NFU farming champions Andy and Lynda Eadon and student life representatives (SLRs) at the university.

The event formed part of the Len’s Light campaign, which has raised more than £150,000 for farming charities and aims to open up conversations around mental health in agriculture.

It was founded in memory of Andy and Lynda’s son Len Eadon, a young farmer and former student at the university, who took his own life on New Year’s Day 2022.

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The day was well attended, with a number of events taking place, including tug of war and a fit for farming challenge course. It also provided an opportunity for students to talk with farming charities such as Yellow Wellies and the Farming Community Network.

Andy said: “The future of Len’s Light has become a lot brighter due to the ability, dedication and care shown by SLR students at Harper Adams.”

Lynda added: “To be invited back to Harper Adams during AgMentalHealth week meant a lot to us both, but being invited back specifically by the fourth-year SLRs made it all the more special. 

“They wanted us to engage, in particular, with the first-years just starting on their Harper journey – and engage we did, hopefully relaying our message of how important positive mental health is.”

The couple also recently completed a 2,000-mile tractor journey from John O’ Groats to Land’s End, stopping at livestock markets and agricultural shows around the UK to raise awareness for the campaign.

Hayley Borrett, Harper Adams head of wellbeing services, said: “The message Andy and Lynda are spreading through the Len’s Light campaign – that you are not alone – is one we will continue to promote through the work of the wellbeing team and undoubtedly will have made a difference to those who attended.”