February 22, 2024 - Turf Matters

Tartan tractor scrums down for fundraising: A unique JCB tartan tractor has rolled off the production line at Staffordshire’s JCB Landpower factory honouring Scottish rugby legend and motor neuron disease (MND) campaigner Doddie Weir.

The Fastrac 4220 iCON wrapped in Doddie’s own design tartan livery was welcomed off the Cheadle production line by son Angus Weir, ready to report for fundraising duty with the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’.

Tartan tractor scrums down for fundraising

Scottish and British and Irish Lions international, Doddie, who died of MND, aged 52, in 2022, founded the charity to fund research with the vision of ‘A world free of MND’. So far, more than £11 million has been committed to vital research in his name and the Foundation is dedicated to continuing the fight against the cruel disease.

The Doddie iCON Fastrac is the brainchild of Doddie’s schoolfriend and Director of Crop Services in the Scottish Borders, Douglas Stephen, who joined Angus for the unveiling. Douglas operates a number of Fastrac tractors, and approached his JCB Dealer, Kelso-based Scot Agri to build a special edition machine in support of the Foundation.

The blue and yellow tartan tractor will make starring appearances at major agricultural shows and rugby games north of the border over the coming months raising funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The grand tour will begin at the Royal Northern Spring Show, Inverurie on February 28^th before moving on to the Fife, Northumberland, Royal Highland, Border Union, Perth Shows and many other agricultural events over the summer.

Angus Weir said: “It has been fantastic to be here to unveil the new Doddie tartan tractor. Dad would have absolutely loved it and I’m sure it will turn a lot of heads, raise a lot of smiles, and help continue his fundraising legacy.”

For Douglas Stephen it was an emotional day. He added: “Our Doddie was born into a farming family, was part of the farming community and loved tractors. He was also always accustomed to wearing big, bright, garish tartan suits, so this is right up his street. What JCB has done is beyond all expectations and they have really pulled out all the stops. Doddie was a great friend who is sorely missed and this will help us to keep his memory and MND legacy alive.”

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Director of Fundraising and Communications, Paul Thompson added: “We are incredibly excited about this collaboration with JCB and expect it to raise a great deal of awareness of both motor neuron disease and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The Fastrac looks brilliant, and we can’t wait to see the look on people’s faces when nine tonnes of tartan tractor arrive at one of our events.

“When the tractor was unveiled, it was a real lump in the throat moment. Doddie was a farmer and loved his tractors, so we know that this collaboration would have meant a lot to him.”

JCB Territory Manager Sam Taylor said: “For JCB it is an honour to support the incredible work of the ‘My Names’5 Doddie Foundation’. Doddie Weir was an icon, not only in the way that he played his rugby, but also in the way he handled his MND diagnosis, setting an example of bravery, and inspiring others to take up the fight.

“The JCB Doddie iCON Edition Fastrac is a great example of teamwork – bringing together an amazing charity, a valued JCB customer, our brilliant dealer network, designers, and production team. We hope it will raise greater awareness of the condition and fund more groundbreaking research to find a cure for MND.”

Anyone interested in supporting the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation can donate at https://justgiving.com/page/doddietheicon

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Kubota appoints Ian Lauder: Ian Lauder has been appointed as Kubota (UK)’s agricultural and groundcare dealer manager for Scotland and the north of England.

Having gained an apprenticeship as a technician and developed a background in electronics, Ian’s early career took him through the electronics industry before taking on the role of territory manager for a golf and turf care dealership. It was a career path that led him to join a turf machinery manufacturer.

Kubota appoints Ian Lauder

“Working at dealer and manufacturer level has given me a great insight into many aspects of the machinery business,” said Ian. “So, when the chance came to join Kubota, it was an opportunity I had to grab with both hands.”

Ian adds that the Kubota business has so far provided him with many opportunities to apply his existing knowledge, and also to further develop his expertise through the agricultural sector.

“There is growing demand from the industry for Kubota tractors and equipment, and with a desire from the company to be a major player in these markets, it’s a great time to be working for such a premium manufacturer,” he said. “It is a brand that is certainly being noticed.”

Commenting on the appointment, agricultural and ground care sales manager Tim Yates said: “This is a great opportunity to continue building on the growth already achieved in both agricultural and ground care markets across Scotland and the north of England.”

“With recent expansion of our dealer network, and many more new products coming to market including a compact telehandler and battery-powered loaders, we’re in a great position to deliver growth for Kubota and our partners.”