FASTRAC TO SUCCESS AS HEAVYWEIGHT CHARITY FEAT COMPLETED

Eight apprentices today took on a heavyweight task for charity – heaving a JCB Fastrac tractor weighing more than 14 times their combined body weight a total of 100 metres.

They pulled the eight tonne JCB 4000 Series Fastrac the distance outside JCB’s World HQ cheered on by fellow employees, completing the task in just under three minutes.

The first year apprentices - whose ages range from 16 to 19 - took on the fundraising challenge set by the JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffs, where they all study.
 
The event was part of a project set by the Academy which originally challenged them to raise £100 in 100 days – a target which the apprentices smashed in style as they now have a total of £1,000 in their sights.

The team comprised JCB apprentices Greg Tuckley, 19, of Wolverhampton; Laura Carr, 17 of Stafford; Maud Lelan, 19 of Derby; Haydn Beebe, 18 of Bakewell; Ed Deaville, 18 of Tean; Rhys Ellis, 17 of Kingsley, and Josh Matkin, 19 of Derby. The eighth apprentice was Ethan Griffin-Wilmer who works at Rugeley van specialists, VanHaus. 

Josh Matkin, 19, of Littleover, Derby, said: “It was very tough, to be fair. The Fastrac is a lot of machine to pull and some of us are only small in stature. The practice runs definitely helped and so did our JCB colleagues who gathered at lunchtime to spur us on. Their support was immense.”  

Laura Carr said: “I was right at the front with Maud, so as well as pulling the machine we were concerned about direction and making sure we were staying in a straight line. It was a really good challenge but good old-fashioned teamwork helped us rise to it.  

Ed Deaville said: “We chose the Fastrac because it is such an iconic machine but we always knew it was going to be tough to pull it that distance. Once we started it moving it was a case of maintaining pace and good communication. It was tough but worth it for such a good cause.”

Greg Tuckley said: “It was a great feeling when we reached the line – we really did have to pull out all the stops. We have been training in the gym and making sure we eat properly in readiness for this. In our practice runs we pulled heavier machines to prepare for the real event. It was a great team effort and we are delighted to raise more money than we expected for a good cause.”

 
A specially-made harness with eight rings for the pullers was attached to the Fastrac and they heaved the tractor the required distance in 10 minutes, passing the finishing line outside the main reception to the cheers of the lunchtime crowd.

It was the culmination of weeks of training and preparation, which included three practice runs, including one yesterday.

Sponsorships from work colleagues, friends and family could see the total raised top the £1,000 mark ensuring a weighty donation to JCB Academy’s chosen charity, Scropton Riding and Driving School for the Disabled in South Derbyshire.