Vintage tractor enthusiast who suffered devastating house fire wins MF35 while raising money for farming charity

Phil Wormald moved to rural Leicestershire a few years ago, only for the house he was renovating to burn to the ground.

He commented: “Earlier this year, I finally finished the workshop in the garden and started looking for a tractor to renovate.”

Phil had a number of contacts after becoming membership secretary of the Vale of Belvoir Machinery Group, and was considering a Ford 3000.

However, in the last week of October, he got an unexpected call!

A £5 raffle ticket he had purchased as part of a charity fundraiser had come up trumps, winning him an historic MF 35 Deluxe.

“I just couldn’t believe it, I was like a giddy kid,” he revealed.

Phil collected the tractor at the Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show on 5-6 November. There, show partner Kelsey Media, which owns a range of classic tractor magazines and runs the raffle every year, presented £6,465 to the Bicton Overseas Agricultural Trust, which helps farmers in developing countries to produce more food and improve their livelihoods.

So, what does Phil plan to do with his MF 35? “I’ve no plans to strip it down and turn it into a showgirl,” he said. “I’m just going to cherish it and give it a rolling restoration, and enjoy doing some road runs.”