Ben Spink and Case IH Go the Distance for Kidney Research
2010-04-29

Case IH is helping Ben Spink, a Lincolnshire young farmer, raise money for Kidney Research UK. Mr Spink, who has suffered from a degenerative kidney disease known as Alport’s Syndrome, will drive from John O’Groats to Land’s End in a Case IH Puma 210 tractor.

Ben Spink will drive from John O’Groats to Land's End
in a Case IH Puma 210 tractor

Mr Spink and his fellow Young Farmers will drive from Scotland down the east coast of the UK visiting agricultural universities to raise funds towards Mr Spink’s £25,000 target. They will travel though Lincolnshire, before continuing south, visiting Harper Adams and the Royal Agricultural College, and then on to Land’s End.

Chris Armitage, Case IH’s Harvesting Manager, said “We’re pleased to be able to help Ben with the loan of a tractor for this worthwhile cause. I’m sure he’ll appreciate its quiet comfort over the many miles he’ll do.”

Mr Spink was diagnosed Alport’s Syndrome at age seven. By 20, his kidneys had deteriorated to such an extent that he had to go on dialysis every day and was reduced to drinking one litre of fluid a day, often sucking on ice cubes to make the fluid last longer. In April 2009, Ben was notified that a suitable transplant match had been found. A year on, Mr Spink, 24, is able to live a full and active life.

“I really hope this trip will raise awareness of kidney disease and the transformation a transplant can have on an individual’s life, as well to raise money in order to find a cure, prevention or better treatment to avoid other people going through what I have,” said Mr Spink.

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