Harper Adams engineering duo set to take part in Mongol Rally to raise awareness for mental health in agriculture

Posted 8 June 2018

Two Harper Adams MEng Agricultural Engineering students are setting off on an intrepid adventure travelling more than 15,000 miles across 22 countries to reach Mongolia in a Mazda MX-5.

Jonathan Glen, 23, from County Cavan, Ireland, and Alan Walker, 24, from Rushden, Northamptonshire, are taking part in the notoriously tough Mongol Rally in a bid to raise £5,000 for the Farming Community Network, which helps more than 60,000 people each year, on a variety of issues including mental and physical health.

Jonathan said: “We are doing this because mental health in agriculture matters.”

“Having had my own battle with mental health while farming, I appreciate the seriousness of the cause.”

The epic voyage involves tackling some of the most challenging roads in the world, including the famed Pamir Highway. The journey will be be physically demanding for the self-titled MX-Farmers and their 22-year-old Mazda which they have been making modifications to in the Harper engineering workshop.

In a bid to reduce the stigma around mental health Jonathan is documenting the journey on social media. He posted his first video introducing himself, the car and why he is taking on such a huge challenge with the help of his best friend Alan, in the start of his candid ‘My Mental Journey’ post.

“I am documenting my own journey to show how anyone could battle with mental health and how important it is to talk about it.”

“It’s about raising awareness and getting the message across that you can talk about mental health in agriculture."

Simon Pride Director of Marketing at Harper Adams said: “We’re proud to support our students in this courageous endeavour.Through taking on this epic challenge they are helping to reduce the stigma around mental health and raise money for a charity which does so much for the farming community. It shows true Harper spirit.”

Alan also aims to raise £500 for Kettering General Hospital’s Charity Fund.

The duo are bringing their car to the University summer Open Day on June 16 where there will be a chance to donate and find out more about them.

Find out more here.

Support the MX-Farmers.