Over the past 13 years, we’ve had the privilege of meeting some truly remarkable individuals – people who’ve shared their stories with honesty, courage and a deep commitment to making our industry safer and healthier for everyone.
As we reflect on how far the campaign has come, we want to take a moment to honour 13 voices that have helped shape our journey. The stories that have inspired change, sparked conversations and reminded us all why this work matters.
These are their stories. We hope you’ll take a moment to read, reflect, and share.
Mark Mather – Turning Tragedy into a Lifesaving Message
Mark & Emily Mather
At just 24, Mark Mather’s life changed forever when a quad bike accident on his family’s Northumberland farm caused a loaded shotgun to discharge, resulting in the loss of his leg. Alone and unable to call for help, Mark was found by chance and airlifted to hospital, where surgeons were forced to amputate his leg to save his life.
The physical and emotional toll was immense, not just for Mark, but for his family and the farm business. Yet from this devastating experience, Mark found purpose. As one of our first Farm Safety Ambassadors, he has shared his story with honesty and courage, helping others understand the real consequences of complacency.
Mark’s message has always been simple but powerful: “Think twice before you start a job.” His willingness to speak out continues to inspire a culture of safety across the farming community.
Tim Papworth – A Wake-Up Call from the Top of a Ladder
Tim Papworth
Norfolk farmer Tim Papworth was doing what many farmers do – taking on a job himself to protect his team. But the simple task of changing a lightbulb in a potato store, turned into a life-changing moment when he slipped from the ladder and suffered a serious head injury.
Tim spent five weeks in a coma and faced a long, uncertain recovery. He was left temporarily paralysed, unable to speak and deeply worried about the future of his family and farm business. Thanks to swift medical intervention and months of rehabilitation, Tim made a remarkable recovery, though he still lives with lasting effects…
Affectionately known as “Titanium Tim” due to the plate in his skull, Tim uses his experience to raise awareness of the risks farmers face every day. His message is clear: “I learnt safety by accident. Don’t wait for a fall to start thinking about it.”
Tim’s story is a powerful reminder that even the most routine jobs deserve careful planning and that slowing down can save lives.
James Hoskings – From Loss to Leadership
James Hoskings
Growing up on his family’s dairy farm in Cornwall, James began working with livestock at just 12 years old. But behind the daily rhythm of farm life, he faced a series of devastating personal losses.
As the pressures mounted and the dairy industry declined, the family made the painful decision to sell their dairy herd in 2011. The silence that followed marked a turning point. Despite trying to move on – through college, work and his social life as the popular DJ Pasty – James struggled.
A breakthrough came when he shared his story during an online mental health discussion. The outpouring of support helped him realise he wasn’t alone. From that moment, he began speaking openly about mental health, using his experience to help others find the courage to talk.
Though he eventually stepped away from farming for health reasons, he found new purpose as a Dairy Sales Specialist and has built a fulfilling life with his wife Lianne and two adorable children. He was even awarded the Farm Safety Award 2023 by NFYFC. His journey is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship, it’s about finding the strength to keep going, and the courage to speak up.
Terry Pickthall – Finding Strength in Speaking Out
Terry & Sarah Pickthall
Harper Adams Placement Manager Terry Pickthall is one of those rare and courageous individuals willing to speak openly about his experience with suicidal ideation. In a conversation that challenges the silence often surrounding mental health, Terry shared the deeply personal circumstances that led to his crisis point and how seeking professional help became a turning point in his recovery.
With support from Shropshire Sanctuary, his GP, a private counsellor, and colleagues at Harper Adams University, Terry began to rebuild. He acknowledges that while the experience has left a scar, it also serves as a powerful reminder: he got better.
Terry’s story is a testament to the importance of speaking up, seeking help, and recognising that recovery is possible. His voice adds vital authenticity to the conversation around suicide prevention and mental health in rural communities.
Chris Surgenor – From Isolation to Advocacy
Chris Surgenor
Chris Surgenor, a farm worker from Kilkeel, Co. Down, moved to Essex in 2014 in search of stable work. While he found a permanent role and enjoyed his job, the distance from home, rural isolation and personal losses began to take a toll on his mental health. Despite surviving leukaemia as a teenager – a battle that left him with a deep appreciation for life – Chris found himself facing a different kind of struggle: depression.
With support from his employer and a renewed determination to seek help, Chris began to rebuild. A visit from a close friend and the arrival of a new dog, Dozer, brought companionship and comfort. Now, Chris is passionate about raising awareness of mental health support available to those in the farming community, especially when rural isolation is common and stigma still lingers.
His message is one of resilience and hope: “No matter how horrible things have been in my life at times, things have always gotten better.”
Milly Fyfe – Speaking Up About Loneliness in Rural Life
Milly Fyfe
Who has never heard of Milly Fyfe? Former NFYFC Chair, Farmers Weekly Farming Champion finalist, entrepreneur, social media influencer and all-round powerhouse Milly knows firsthand that success and recognition offer no immunity from loneliness. After the birth of her second child, Milly found herself isolated and exhausted. Her son’s silent reflux meant he needed constant care, leaving her little time or energy to socialise. With her husband busy on the farm and limited support nearby, the days felt long and lonely.
Despite reaching out, Milly found it difficult to ask for the help she needed. Online forums offered some comfort, but nothing could replace real human connection. Over time, she developed small daily routines – planning activities with her children and keeping a gratitude diary- to help her stay grounded and positive.
Milly’s experience reflects a broader issue in rural communities, where isolation is often hidden behind busy lives and stoic attitudes. Her openness about loneliness adds an important voice to the growing conversation around rural mental health and the need for stronger social support networks.
Andy & Lynda Eadon – Giving Grief a Purpose
Andy Eadon
After the heartbreaking loss of their 22-year-old son Leonard (Len) in January 2022, Andy and Lynda Eadon of Warwickshire have channelled their grief into something truly meaningful. Len, a much-loved young farmer and Harper Adams University student, took his own life leaving behind a devastated family, friendship group and community.
Over the past three years, Andy and Lynda have given their time, energy and hearts to raising awareness of mental health in farming. Working closely with us here at the Farm Safety Foundation and with other farming charities, they have helped open up conversations that are often difficult but desperately needed especially among young farmers.
Lynda Eadon
From organising community events and working with Harper’s student support services, to meeting with government ministers and launching their Five-a-Day Challenge in Len’s memory, their efforts have reached countless thousands. Over 20,000 wallet-sized cards promoting daily mental wellbeing have been distributed, alongside 2,000 special editions of our Little Book of Minding Your Head to support mental health education in young farmers clubs and the funding of a Nuffield Scholarship focusing on the health and wellbeing of the farming community.
Their work has not gone unnoticed as their efforts have earned them several prestigious awards, including: Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture at the 2024 British Farming Awards, the NFU Community Farming Hero Award (West Midlands) and A Points of Light Award from the UK Prime Minister’s Office. Their love for Len, and their determination to help others, is a legacy that will continue to save lives.
James Bannister – From Tragedy to Tenacity
James Bannister
James Bannister, a well-known figure in UK agriculture and former Chairman of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), appeared in our 2024 Farm Safety Week video and has become a powerful advocate for farm safety driven by personal experience and a deep-rooted passion for the industry.
Born into a farming family in Lincolnshire, James spent his life immersed in agriculture. But in 1998, while working on a large arable and root crop farm, a routine day turned into a life-altering moment when he was caught in a potato harvester. The accident resulted in the loss of his left arm and changed the course of his life.
Despite the trauma, James was determined not to let the injury define him. When told he could no longer do the work he loved, he responded with grit and resilience launching his own contracting business and proving his capabilities. Over the years, he built a successful career, including time working in New Zealand, and later co-founding JLR Farm Services with his partner Lorraine.
Once candid about his own complacency, James now leads by example, urging others to take time, assess risks, and never underestimate the life-changing consequences of a rushed decision.
Simon Clayton – A Close Call That Sparked a Vital Conversation
Simon Clayton
Simon Clayton, a Lincolnshire farmer and another star of last year’s Farm Safety Week hero film, is a powerful example of how even the most routine days on the farm can take a dangerous turn. While working on his sugar beet farm, Simon was bitten by an insect – an incident that quickly escalated into a life-threatening case of sepsis.
Within 48 hours, Simon’s leg had become severely swollen and red, and he was experiencing chills and extreme fatigue. Doctors warned that without immediate intervention, he could lose his leg or worse. He was rushed to hospital, where he fought for his life.
Simon’s story is a sobering reminder of how fast sepsis can strike and how critical it is to act quickly. His honesty about the physical and emotional toll of the illness has helped shine a light on a condition that affects over 245,000 people in the UK each year.
Jane Gurney & Family – Turning Tragedy into a Lifesaving Mission
Jane Gurney MBE
Over ten years ago, Jane Gurney’s son, 19 year old Harry Christian-Allan, lost his life in a tragic trailer accident on a rural road. The pain of that day still echoes through his family – Jane, Frances, Josh, Jordan, and Ollie – who feel his absence in every moment and every milestone missed. For them, it’s not just the loss of a son, brother, or friend, it’s the empty boots that will never be filled.
In Harry’s memory, Jane founded Tilly Your Trailer, a safety initiative that has become a national voice for trailer and road safety in farming. While many know the campaign, fewer know the emotional toll behind it. The quiet strength of a family determined to prevent others from experiencing the same heartbreak.
Their story is a poignant reminder of how quickly life can change on rural roads, where conditions are unpredictable and one mistake can have devastating consequences. Through their advocacy, they ask a simple but powerful question that resonates strongly with us: Who would fill your boots?
Callum Lindsay – A Wake-Up Call on Quad Bike Safety
Callum Lindsay
Callum Lindsay, a hill farmer from the Isle of Arran, is one of our newer voices, joining us this year with warmth, enthusiasm, and a powerful story to share. Featured in the #UseYourHead campaign in Scotland by RSABI and ourselves, Callum is also being followed by a BBC This Farming Life film crew bringing even more visibility to his message.
In October 2023, Callum was seriously injured in a quad bike accident while moving sheep during flooding. Riding without a helmet, he hit a hidden stone and was thrown from the bike, suffering major head trauma, neck and back injuries, and losing consciousness. Alone and without mobile signal, he eventually managed to ride to higher ground to call for help. He was airlifted to hospital in severe pain and spent six months recovering in a neck brace, while also managing the effects of brain bruising and fatigue.
Throughout his recovery, Callum’s greatest concern wasn’t just for himself, like many before him it was for his family, his farm, and the work left undone. His wife Zara held everything together during this difficult time, caring for their two young children and the farm.
Now fully recovered he is fully committed to promoting helmet use, Callum is using his experience to urge others to take quad bike safety seriously. His story is a powerful reminder that accidents don’t just affect the rider, they impact families, livelihoods, and entire communities.
Henry Dunn – When Courage Meets Purpose
Henry Dunn
At just 24, Henry Dunn is already a powerful voice for resilience and change in agriculture. Two years ago, while working on a remote cattle station in Larrimah, Northern Australia – home to 15,000 cattle – Henry’s life changed in an instant. A hydraulic post rammer, with its safety mechanism tampered with to speed up the job, came down unexpectedly and crushed his left arm.
Over 500km from the nearest hospital, Henry acted fast, tying a tourniquet around his forearm to stop the bleeding. After a long wait for an ambulance and an airlift to hospital, he began a journey of survival, recovery, and transformation. Despite the trauma, legal complexities, and emotional toll – including PTSD in the early months – Henry refused to let the injury define him.
Currently in the process of relocating to Dubai, Henry has rebuilt his life with remarkable determination. He has returned to work, competes in international CrossFit events (placing sixth in Texas and heading to Las Vegas in 2025), and shares his story as a motivational speaker focusing on adversity, mental health, and the power of mindset.
Henry’s message is clear: adversity can be a catalyst for growth. With a strong support network, a disciplined routine and a passion for helping others, Henry is not just adapting – he is thriving.
David Warner – A Life Changed in Seconds
David & Sally Warner
Our latest story, David Warner’s is one of the most powerful reminders of why farm safety matters. A respected farmer, David once believed that accidents happened to other people, not to him. But in a split second, that and everything changed.
While helping a colleague with a faulty pump sprayer filled with acid, David made a decision that felt routine, grabbing the sprayer to take a quick look. In that moment, the contents burst out, hitting him in the face and eyes. The pain was immediate and excruciating. Despite desperately trying to wash the acid away, the damage was done.
In hospital, a leading doctor told him he would never drive or work again and that his life would never be the same. That was the moment the reality of the accident truly hit.
David’s injuries were life-changing, but so too was the emotional toll. Months later, after returning home, he experienced a period of deep depression and suicidal thoughts. What kept him going was the thought of his daughter – his reason to keep fighting.
Now, for this year’s campaign, David is speaking openly about his experience, challenging the culture of bravado and near-miss storytelling that still exists in farming. He admits he once ignored safety gear, thinking “it’ll be alright.” But now, he knows better and he wants others to learn from his pain before it’s too late.
His message is clear and heartfelt: “Farm safety does apply to you. It can happen to you. And if I had just stopped and planned, this accident wouldn’t have happened.”
And finally…
Jim Chapman MBE
Of course, we must give a heartfelt thank you to Jim Chapman MBE, who has been a powerful ambassador for farm safety and a familiar face to many for the past ten years. Jim fronted our very first Farm Safety Week hero film and has continued to share his story with honesty and impact – whether speaking at events, addressing young farmers, or simply lending his voice to the cause.
Over 30,000 young people have heard Jim’s Story through our training programmes in colleges and the YFC network, and his message continues to resonate. As a long-standing supporter and current Chair of Trustees, Jim has helped raise the profile of the charity and championed the importance of safety in farming communities. When he steps down as Chair in December 2025, he will leave behind a legacy of influence and inspiration.
To Jim, all our wonderful ambassadors, and every brave voice who has stepped forward to make farming safer: your courage is changing lives.
Sam Oatey
We thank them for trusting us with their stories – their pain, their hope and their truth. They are the heartbeat of this campaign. And to Sam Oatey whose talent and compassion have brought many of these stories to life with such care, thank you for helping the world not just hear them, but feel them.
Together, we are not just raising awareness, we are building a legacy. One of honesty, resilience, and hope. And we will keep going, because these stories deserve to be heard, remembered, and acted upon.
