Young farmer Tom York is training for triathlon at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre, raising funds for The Farming Community Network
A young farmer is preparing to take on a triathlon to raise awareness of mental health struggles he and others in his industry face.
In the coming months you may spot Tom York, 21, training at Abbeycroft Leisure Centre in Bury St Edmunds.
He has signed up for the Ultimate Triathlon, which involves a 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile cycle and 26.2-mile run, because it will be ‘both physically and mentally challenging’.
Tom, who is open about his own mental health struggles, said: “I haven’t had the smoothest of upbringings – when I was five years old I lost my mum.
“So that was quite a challenge growing up.
“It was then discovered because of that childhood trauma I developed ADHD, which I didn’t realise I had the whole way throughout school. I was 20 when I was diagnosed.”
“It was probably one of the most mentally challenging things that I have ever done.
“I don’t think I realised at the time quite the impact it would have, I spent quite a few months in some really dark places,” said Tom.
He said: “In my second year at uni one of my housemates unfortunately took his own life, which was a huge shock.
“The difficult thing for me was we both had very similar symptoms of ADHD.”
Tom then decided he wanted to tell his own story, fund-raising and volunteering for The Farming Community Network (FCN), an organisation which helps farmers to navigate through any challenges they may be facing, including those affecting their mental wellbeing.
Since last summer Tom has delivered talks on farming at agricultural events and recently spoke to Princess Anne on behalf of FCN.
He said: “Princess Anne is very involved with farming and recognises the pressures farmers are facing.”
Due to various reasons Tom said many farmers he spoke to felt as though they did not have anywhere to turn.
“One of the things I found especially hard was how lonely and isolating it can be for a lot of people who are out sat working on farms in tractors for more than 15 hours a day,” said Tom.
Originally from Shropshire, Tom is living in Bury while completing a placement year for his degree and is planning to complete the training for the Ultimate Triathlon in six months.
He said: “It is going be tough and it has been so far, but I am fairly confident when it comes to the time I will be able to do it.”
The Ultimate Triathlon will take place at Ellsmere Park, Shropshire, on June 30 – you can sponsor Tom who is raising money for FCN here.
Whatever you're going through you can call the Samaritans free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.
