Widower to host tractor run in wife's memory
They raised thousands of pounds together to help a new £3 million cancer centre in Shropshire become a reality – and now retired farmer George Howells is looking to raise a record amount in memory of his late wife Barbara.
Mr and Mrs Howells, started running charity tractor road runs two years ago to raise money for good causes including the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre Appeal.
It was a cause particularly close to their hearts as Barbara had spent many years being treated for cancer.
The couple, who spent many years farming at Wheathill near Ludlow before retiring to Stottesdon, near Bridgnorth, raised more than £4,500 for the appeal from their first event in 2010.
The £6,300 proceeds from last year's event were split between the appeal and Midlands Air Ambulance.
But this year Mr Howells will be organising the event on his own after his wife died on October 28 last year at the age of 72. They had been married for 48 years.
The Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital opened last month after years of fundraising and last week Mr Howells was invited to take a look around the new facilities, which he described as 'marvellous'.
This year's charity tractor road run will be held on October 14 starting from Wheathill Court Farm, in Wheathill, and will be followed by a tractor pulling event which is expected to attract entrants from as far afield as Gloucester and Stafford.
Mr Howells said: "My wife had 18 years of wonderful treatment from nurses in Shropshire and we as a family will never forget what they did."
For more details call (01746) 718672.
