Prostate cancer patient to do 500-mile charity tractor run

A paramedic “living on borrowed time” after a prostate cancer diagnosis is urging farmers to prioritise their personal health over work.

Andrew Gibson is embarking on a 500-mile tractor road trip in September on a Demonstrator T6/T7 tractor to raise awareness among the farming community on the importance of being vigilant to the signs of prostate cancer.

Andrew, who is 58, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer four years ago, after finally getting persistent “twinges” and blood in his urine checked out. He was given just two years to live.

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Chemotherapy and precision radiotherapy have extended his life, but Andrew says he knows he is living on borrowed time.

On 17 September, he will set off from the Badminton Estate, South Gloucestershire, heading for Lancashire, where he had been based as a paramedic.

The next day he will head for his journey’s end point, Bristol GenesisCare outpatient cancer centre, where he has been receiving treatment since his diagnosis.

Research has shown that people living in rural areas, and farmers in particular, are less likely to engage in preventative health measures, including cancer screenings. 

Andrew says this is due to many reasons, but a key factor is that many prioritise work over personal health.

“I took my health for granted, even when I started to feel the odd twinge, stiffness and pain it was put down to leading a highly active lifestyle – something I now know was a big, missed opportunity, which has cost me dearly,” he said.

“I’m determined to spend the time I’ve got left to spread the word to the highly active farming community not to dismiss the aches and pains and to harvest your prostate health.’’

Andrew describes himself as a “country boy at heart” and loves nothing more than riding on a tractor.

Donations can be made on Andrew’s JustGiving page.