JCB customer Grade A Groundworks Ltd has dug deep to help the NSPCC by buying the world's only black JCB digger built specially to raise money for the children's charity.
The machine is the highest specification backhoe loader ever produced and is also the first backhoe in the UK to be fitted with a satellite monitoring system known as JCB LiveLink.
Now the JCB 4CX digger, which is made with parts donated by suppliers and would normally retail for more than £50,000, is set to get to work for Chesterfield-based Grade A Groundworks after company directors Pete Warburton and Barry Dring paid £58,000 to secure it in an on-line auction.
JCB CEO Matthew Taylor presented them with the keys to the machine, which instead of JCB's trademark yellow, is painted in striking black at the request of Grade A Groundworks to make it instantly recognisable as their NSPCC backhoe.
Barry Dring said: "We are very aware of the excellent work the NSPCC undertakes so were more than happy to support JCB's appeal with a bid for the machine which was higher than the recommended retail price. The backhoe will now go to work straight away on contracts across Derbyshire and because it's the only black JCB in the world we expect it to attract lots of attention."
Grade A Groundworks was established in 2005 by Pete Warburton and Barry Dring. The company is firmly established as one of North East Derbyshire's leading groundworks sub-contractors and also has a growing reputation throughout the UK for specialising in site clearance and demolition work and bulk excavation, including off-site spoil removal, drainage, foundations and concreting works.
JCB Backhoe Loader Business Unit Managing Director Paul Grys said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to Grade A Groundworks for their fantastic support of the NSPCC appeal which will help some of the most needy children. I'd also like to thank those suppliers who supported us by donating parts used in making this machine."
The JCB LiveLink monitoring system fitted on the machine better protects JCB products from theft by tracking machine movements and, by plugging into its own diagnostic system, provides a wealth of machine information, including hours worked and temperatures.
JCB dealer TC Harrison JCB, based in Chapeltown, Sheffield, is providing three years free servicing for the machine. In recognition of Grade A's support of the NSPCC, JCB Insurance Services, of Rocester, Staffordshire, has also agreed to insure the machine for half price.
JCB last year launched a £1 million appeal for the NSPCC which will directly benefit children in Staffordshire. Money raised by the 'Reaching Out to Children in Staffordshire' appeal will be used to build a centre in the county town of Stafford which will help vulnerable young people at risk of cruelty.