By The Newsroom Tuesday, 18th April 2017, 10:14 am Updated Tuesday, 9th May 2017, 8:17 pm.

Blue Force club members have a passion for preserving and running vintage and modern Fordson, Ford and New Holland marque tractors.

Phil Gibson, chairman of Blue Force, and Peter Plehov, club treasurer, will drive a route around the coast of mainland UK Ireland, stopping at several points on route including Bournemouth, Galway and Edinburgh.

New Holland on the road Phil and Peter set off from the gates of New Hollands Basildon factory at 9am on new T6.145 and T6.180 tractors, which have been donated by New Holland.

One hut for sleeping accommodation and the other for fuel, oil and supplies.

Phil and Peters Coastline Tractor Challenge will culminate at Tractor Fest on the 10th 11th of June at Newby Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire.

We look forward to following their progress and wish them luck on their journey.

Phil Gibson said: I have been overwhelmed by the tremendous support from New Holland, without them we would not be doing any of this.

New Holland on the road The trip is almost entirely funded by donations that have come from club members and generous sponsors.

New Holland dealer Robertsons of Orkney have funded the pairs ferry crossings to the Orkney Islands to guarantee the islands blue tractor fans can be part of the celebrations.

Other New Holland dealers along the 5000-mile route are hosting events to celebrate 100 years of blue tractors and support Phil and Peter on their Coastline Challenge.

The Coastline Challenge will also raise funds for two charities, Steps Conductive Education Centre in Loughborough, and Cancer Research UK.

Phil and Peter have a personal connection with the charities and the pair aim to raise 25,000 by the end of 2017.

They have raised nearly 7,000 before setting off from Basildon.

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