Tractor run to be held in memory of 'adored' farmer

"Most of his time that he had, he did spend working because he absolutely adored his job."

The family of a "kind-hearted" and "fantastic" young farmer from Leicestershire who died following a car crash is hosting a tractor run in his memory.

Jack Woodward, 22, from Six Hills, died in July last year after his car left Nottingham Lane near Old Dalby.

The charity event will leave David Musson Fencing Limited in Six Hills Road near Melton Mowbray at 16:00 GMT on 15 February and will raise money for The Air Ambulance Service.

Ella Woodward said her brother was a "massive friends and family man" who was "adored and loved" by many in the farming community.

"He was fantastic, he was so kind-hearted, he was so hilarious - some of his jokes were wildly inappropriate but he would make the whole room laugh," the 24-year-old said.

Jack was completing an electricians course alongside his job of driving machinery and tractors for a contractor when he died.

When asked what Jack liked doing in his spare time, Ella said: "Being with his friends - they enjoyed having a Chinese [meal] together.

"His Land Rover was his pride and joy, he would be in his workshop looking after it.

"Most of his time that he had he did spend working because he absolutely adored his job."

Ella said she expected about 100 tractors to attend the event, showing the "amount of people that loved and adored" her brother.

"It is such a difficult time and the community look after you with open arms," she said.

"A lot of the [farming] community that are a part of [the tractor run] are the people that if something - God forbid - happened, would need it the most.

"If you are in a field you are not going to get the ambulance across. [The Air Ambulance] were there in a matter of minutes to try and save Jack.

"It is working to look after the community and keep Jack's memory alive."

After setting off, the tractor run will pass through villages such as Long Clawson, Harby and Stathern before returning to the starting point.

There will also be a raffle at the Crown Inn in Old Dalby at 20:00 and merchandise will be on sale, with proceeds going towards The Air Ambulance.

Leicestershire Police said in an appeal at the time that they believed a second car - a grey Audi A6 - may have been involved in the crash that caused Jack's death.

The driver of the Audi, a man in his 40s, was identified and voluntarily interviewed, the force said, confirming the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

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