A tartan-wrapped JCB Fastrac, known to many as ‘Doddie the iCON’, will lead the march in Sandy Duffus’ Tractor Run, which aims to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND).
The event aims to raise funds for the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’, the charity set up by the late Doddie Weir to find a cure for MND.
The tractors will leave the Haughs in Turriff at 6:30p.m tomorrow (Wednesday, August 14), making their way through Rothienorman to finish at Thainstone Mart, Inverurie.
Behind the wheel of ‘Doddie the iCON’ will be local farmer Sandy Duffus, who was diagnosed with MND earlier this year.
Annie Kenyon, who lost her mother to the disease in 2021, said: “Approximately 1,100 people are diagnosed annually with the disease in the UK and up to 5,000 UK adults are affected at any one time.
“Symptoms include spontaneous twitching, fatigue, weight loss, muscle cramps and difficulty in speech and swallowing.”
The two businesses behind the initiative are Annie Kenyon Architects Ltd and Agricultural Machinery Specialists CC Powell Ltd who, at this year’s Turriff Show, raised over £20,000 for the Foundation.
Annie Kenyon’s stand sold out of the range of Doddie Weir merchandise whilst CC Powell’s stand hosted the branded Fastrac – attracting thousands of visitors – many of whom bought a raffle ticket for £10 to win a tractor weight, donated by Jacobsens-Grange Farm Machinery.
Doddie the iCON
The JCB Fastrac 4220 iCon, wrapped in Weir’s own tartan livery, was designed to support fundraising and awareness for the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’.
Weir, who died of MND at 52-years-old in 2022, founded the charity to fund research with the vision of ‘A world free of MND’. It has raised over £11 million so far.
Chris Powell said: “We were absolutely blown away by the generosity from the local community. The support was even more poignant, given Sandy’s diagnosis.
“We’re very grateful to owner Douglas Stephen at Crop Services Ltd, for the loan of the Fastrac and allowing us to use it for the tractor run.”
Annie Kenyon’s efforts to fundraise for the Doddie Weir foundation have been extensive, including a pledge ‘Donate a Tonne for Doddie’ campaign at Turriff Show in 2023.
As well as this, her partner Duncan Barton undertook a bike ride to Paris last year and there was a dinner dance at the P&J live – which will take place again next year.
Kenyon said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Sandy will be leading the tractor run next week – whilst ticking another wish off his bucket list.
“Sandy’s daughter, Kayleigh was determined to promote the foundation even further and contacted me, Chris Powell and Kim Tedcastle to organise the tractor convoy to allow local farmers and businesses to show our support to Sandy and his family, and of course raise as much money as we can for the foundation.”
