A tartan JCB Fastrac has rolled off the Cheadle production line in honour of Scottish rugby legend and motor neuron disease (MND) campaigner Doddie Weir.

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

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 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.

“It has been fantastic to be here to unveil the new Doddie tartan tractor,” said Angus Weir (pictured). “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. “Our Doddie was born into a farming family, was part of the farming community and loved tractors,” he said. “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 the 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.

Left to right: Sam Taylor – JCB Agriculture; Poppy Burrough – JCB Agriculture; Paul Thompson – My Name’5 Doddie Foundation; Angus Weir – My Name’5 Doddie Foundation; Douglas Stephen – Crop Services; Scott Barbour – Crailing Hall Farm; Tom Mowforth – JCB Agriculture and Greg Fitton – JCB Agriculture. It was a real lump in the throat moment for Mr Thompson when the tractor was unveiled. “Doddie was a farmer and loved his tractors, so we know that this collaboration would have meant a lot to him.”

The tartan tractor can be seen at various agricultural shows and rugby games north of the border raising funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The tour will begin at the Royal Northern Spring Show, Inverurie on February 28 before moving on to the Fife, Northumberland, Royal Highland, Border Union, Perth Shows and many other agricultural events over the summer.

JCB territory manager Sam Taylor said that 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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