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MEET THE SHEARERS
Luke Bell-Percy
Probably best described as a farming crazy dude, he has a passion and knowledge of farming way beyond his years. Luke loves nothing more than working on the farm with the sheep and cattle. He has grown up around shearing from the day he was born, helping and watching, pushing sheep up the race, jumping in wool bags, finishing the last side off, just taking it all in. This year he has definitely found the passion for shearing, and has achieved his first 30 lambs. Without being biased, he ain’t bad for a 12yr old!
So, what has driven Luke to want to be part of this challenge of a 24hr Shearathon?
In Luke’s very own words …..
"I am doing the 24 Shearathon in memory of my brother Aaron who sadly lost his life back in July 2022. I am doing the Shearathon to help raise awareness for Brake the road safety charity, which is the road safety charity which has helped me, my mum and my dad through what has been a very tough time.
Another reason why I’m doing the Shearathon is that I love shearing and I want to be a Shearer and a farmer when I am older.
I would love to raise money for all three charities, Brake the road safety charity, The UK Sepsis Trust, and also Papyrus to prevent young suicide.
We have done many fundraising events since I lost my brother such as the charity ball last year and the charity rugby match that we did the year before. I like doing these charity events as it raises awareness and I hope it will prevent somebody else from having to cope with the loss of a brother.
This year we are doing the 24 hour Shearathon of which I will be taking part in some of it. I can’t wait to shear alongside my dad and Richard.
Andrew Bell-Percy
For Andrew age is only a number at 56 years young!
Andrew sheared his first sheep at the age of 13 when he was conned into doing it for a young farmers' rally. Having never held a hand piece, and only having a last minute practise, he went into the competition and won the junior sheep shearing. From that point on shearing became apart of his life. He picked up Saturday jobs whilst still at school and on leaving he went to shear with Richard Winn, gaining experience and knowledge.
At the age of 22 he packed his bags and set off to experience shearing in New Zealand. This became routine and Andy did several seasons in both New Zealand and Norway. A couple of years later he took on the shearing run and expanded his own shearing contracting business which is still going today. Andy has sheared sheep for some customers for over 40 years!
Andy was a regular on the sheep shearing competition circuit, with his greatest achievement representing England at the World Championship in 2003.
Andy is now a full time farmer, husband, dad and still finds time to shear sheep as well as instructing at shearing courses and judging at competition.
Over the years Andy has picked up the nickname “Pinky Percy” and he has always put the quality of his shearing before quantity, whether it is shearing on a farm or in a competition. When you shear a sheep clean the skin is pink, hence the nickname!
Shearing has and will always be a big part of Andy’s life and in his own words this Shearathon is the last thing he can do before his body packs up!
He will also be super proud to shear alongside his son Luke
Richard Lancaster
Nicola and Andy first met Richard and his family back in 2007 whilst showing sheep. A family friendship was formed, Richard took on the role of godfather to Luke and many memories were made between Richard and Aaron.
Richard not only lost Aaron but Hannah as well, she was a very close friend, like his big sister.
Richard grew up on his family farm near Clitheroe and spent many a day watching and helping his dad shear sheep. Like many sons, listening to dad doesn’t always work, so at the age of 15, he started to spend his summer holidays with Nicola and Andy so he could master the art of shearing sheep from Andy. Since then Richard has been Andy’s shearing partner and has helped to keep the shearing run going.
In 2019 Richard packed his bags and went to New Zealand to shear sheep, this really cemented his passion, and shearing is now his full time job. Richard is currently on his fifth season in New Zealand having done his first season in Australia this summer.