Fork Rent is highest bidder in online ‘Help For Heroes’ auction for JCB Union Jack digger

The hammer came down last night on an online charity auction for JCBs unique Union Jack digger with leading Ipswich-based plant hire firm Fork Rent securing the machine with the highest bid of 70,250.

JCB had been staging the auction over the past two weeks as part of a Christmas fundraising initiative in support of Help for Heroes, the British charity that supports servicemen and women wounded in conflicts around the world.

Fork Rents Managing Director, Guy Nicholls said: Im absolutely delighted that Fork Rent has secured the Union Jack 3CX Eco Backhoe Loader. Its such a distinctive machine and very fitting that JCB auctioned it to raise money for Help for Heroes. Weve got on our thinking caps on today at Fork Rent to come up with more ideas how it might be used again to raise even more funds for Help for Heroes, such as a John OGroats to Lands End road trip maybe.

Yvette Henshall-Bell, UK and Ireland Sales Director at JCB said: It was clear from the bidding during the past two weeks that Fork Rent was keen to have the Union Jack 3CX Eco backhoe loader. I know they will be really pleased with the machine, and even more pleased to know that the money raised from the auction will be going to Help for Heroes to support our wounded servicemen and women this Christmas.

Bryn Parry, CEO & co-founder, Help for Heroes, said: We at Help for Heroes (H4H) are thrilled that JCB decided to auction their exclusive Union Jack digger and well done to Fork Rent for securing the machine. The money raised will provide much needed funds to help our wounded heroes on their road to recovery, and if Fork Rent is able to use the Union Jack digger to raise even more money for H4H, that would be just fantastic.

A group of wounded soldiers joined teams from JCB and Help for Heroes, and over 100 representatives from the British construction industry, for the official launch of the auction on Londons South Bank where a festive Christmas-themed 200ft barge was moored on The Thames, hosting two giant Christmas trees and a line up of JCB diggers, including the Union Jack JCB 3CX Eco Backhoe Loader, was lit up.

The barge, moored adjacent to London Studios remained in place until the auction concluded on 21^st of December, sporting a banner inviting the general public to do their bit by donating by text message to support wounded troops and their families over Christmas.

The unique Union Jack JCB 3CX Eco backhoe loader was created as part of the recent launch of the companys new range of Eco machines. This particular model is 16% more-fuel efficient than its predecessor and saves JCBs customers over 3,500 in fuel costs over a three-year operating cycle.

JCB and Help for Heroes are grateful to the following companies for their support in the Thames barge campaign: Cory Environmental, Harsco Infrastructure, Ballast Phoenix, Unusual Rigging, White Light, Elveden Estate and Countrystyle Group.