A PAIR of intrepid women will dig deep into their resources when they drive a tractor 200 miles in memory of a brother and friend.

Fiona Whitaker and Lorna Mitchell have been inspired to take a vintage grey Ferguson from Fairford, near Cirencester, to Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire.

They'll be living every step of the way at a crawling average pace of 10mph, set to take them 48 hours.

Fiona's 24-year-old brother Ross, also Lorna's best friend, died in 2007 of Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in bone or in soft tissue.

Yorkshire-born Ross, an agricultural contractor, married Hannah at the Abbey, three weeks after he was diagnosed. Six weeks later his funeral was held there.

The daring sponsored drive is to raise awareness of the disease and to pay tribute to Ross's love of farming and passion for tractors.

Ross, came to Fairford when he was 13 and went to Farmor's School.

He moved back to help his granddad at the age of 18, but returned to Fairford after his diagnosis.

School friend Lorna, 25, who lives in Fairford, said: "I came up with the off-the-wall idea of a tractor ride because Ross had such a passion for tractors.

"No developments have been made in the disease for the last 20 years and so it's important to raise money."

The tractor will pull a trailer with a picture of Ross on an A-board and will be escorted from the family farm at Thornhill, by the town's fire service at 2.30pm on September 3.

The tractor will be met on September 5 by a friends' convoy and welcome committee.

Fiona, 33, who lives in Cirencester, said: "Ross would have loved this trip and so many people have helped."

Dad David Whitaker has managed the tour and mum Helen is chef.

Their neighbours Nick and Sian Gamond are driving a horse box behind the tractor – Fiona and Lorna's sleeping quarters.

David's work colleague Steve Davies is loaning the tractor, South Wales-based KJ Services is sponsoring the fuel and Nuneaton signs are producing advertising posters.

To sponsor the event, visit the Sponsor Us page on www.rossandrew whitaker.com