Getting involved in ploughing is something Andrew Gill could have never envisaged this time last year.
The 25-year-old was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in June last year and after a lengthy battle and heart complications Andrew is looking forward to the challenge of the 74th Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championships this weekend.
A beef and sheep farmer the ploughing bug is something that bit him hard. With generations of his family involved in it, Andrew was always interested in the competitiveness of the contests.
But, when he was diagnosed with the cancer he didn’t think he’d ever sit on a tractor again.
“The first three to four months were tough but now I am getting out and I am back in the gym, just getting back to myself, getting strong and getting my confidence back,” Andrew said.
“Some days feel not too bad but the tiredness is a big thing to try and get over as my sleeping pattern has been messed up.
“It is just going to take time.
“I have a heart condition now as after my last session of treatment I ended up in intensive care as my heart rate dropped and blood pressure and it damaged my heart unfortunately.
“Hopefully it’s coming back round to the right way but I do not think I will be 100%.
“I am doing my best to get back to normality. It was a big setback at the time, I was in bed for 12 days and getting up to walk was hard, I was on crutches for a few days.
“It has been a full year now and you think it’s been really slow at times but you remember the day you were diagnosed so clearly in your head.
“My heart doctor wants me to go for another scan before I do any heavy lifting. As well as farming I am a plasterer and that’s pretty hard going work, getting back to it is what I am aiming for but I might have to change to something a bit lighter for a while.”
The Saintfield man has many achievements under his ploughing belt. He’s won the Northern Ireland Young Farmer’s Championship since he first ploughed competitively and was second at the Five Nations Ploughing Championship in Scotland last year.
When he stepped up to the Under 28 Senior Class at the National Ploughing Championships he scooped third place and is already winning local matches at senior grade.
His success he puts down to two things. “I love driving tractors and love winning!”
With his sights firmly set on qualifying for the World Championships he attributes his success on the inspiration and guidance of his grandfather, father and his coach, Thomas Cochrane.
Away from farming and ploughing Andrew takes time for his ongoing recovery relaxing with his girlfriend Ashleigh and walking his two German Shepherds.
His 10 years of ploughing may have had a temporary setback, but Andrew is still going.
“With farming in my blood, I’m never far away from it to help out, especially when it comes to tractor driving.”
He concludes with a message for all in the industry.
“Although farming is very demanding at times it is important that farmers take time off and look after their health. Your health is your wealth which was something I very soon noticed last year.”
The Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championship takes place on 29th and 30th September at Donaghcloney, Co Down.
More information can be found at www.niploughing.com #NIPloughing74 #NIPloughing #PloughingAround