A Ripon dad is hosting a charity Tractor Fest after his newborn son recently spent time in intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary with a life-threatening condition.

Tom Tate’s partner Sarah gave birth to their son, Freddie, three-and-a-half months ago.

But soon after he was born he was diagnosed with Atrial flutter, a type of abnormal heart rhythm that makes the heart beat too quickly.

Mr Tate said it was a frightening time for the family. He said:

“When he was born straight away we knew something wasn’t right. In a baby, Atrial flutter is life threatening.

“But after two weeks in intensive care at the LGI, they got him right, and they looked after me and Sarah.”

Freddie is thankfully now at home and fighting fit, but his dad said he wanted to repay the hospital by raising money for the LGI Neonatal Unit through the Leeds Hospitals Charity.

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Mr Tate is a member of West Yorkshire Tractor and Engine Club and around 80 vintage and modern tractors from the club will be attending F. Tate and Sons garden centre at Studley Road on September 24.

The charity tractor fest will also include a raffle with prizes up for grabs including an overnight stay at Grantley Hall. Entry is free but visitors are encouraged to make a donation.

Mr Tate added:

“We’re really pushing it to raise a lot of money for the charity. We definitely want to make it an annual thing.”