Newcastle Falcons are delighted to have teamed up with club sponsor Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCMUK) and their sister company Synergy Hire Ltd to continue their efforts in supporting My Name’5 Doddie.

Following successful efforts last year which saw £5,352.31 raised for the foundation to help fight motor neurone disease, all parties have committed to another year to keep the fundraising going.

HCMUK have once again designed and branded a ZX130LCN-7 13-tonne class excavator in the iconic Doddie Weir tartan, with the unique machine joining the fleet at its sister company Synergy Hire, where it will be available to rent. They have committed to contribute a proportion of the rental income from this digger to the charity each quarter during 2024.

Rebecca Thompson, commercial director at Newcastle Falcons, said: “Doddie is an icon whose influence extends well beyond rugby circles, and it’s fantastic to have the visually striking branding of his foundation displayed in this way by Hitachi Construction Machinery UK.

“We are proud to be in partnership with such a great company, and having this visibility will help ensure the message of My Name’5 Doddie continues to be seen far and wide.”

David Roberts, CEO at HCMUK, added: “Hitachi Construction Machinery UK have a long history with Newcastle Falcons and so we are very aware of how celebrated Doddie is at the club, and the legacy that he has left.

“We are delighted to support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation again in 2024 in partnership with our sister company Synergy Hire, and hope they can raise even more vital funds for the charity.”

Lee Scott, financial controller at Synergy Hire, commented: “Synergy Hire are proud to be supporting this great cause again for the second year in a row. Having another one of our Hitachi excavators branded with My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is brilliant as it will be a major talking point on job sites, and more importantly will continue to raise awareness of MND.

“We have donated £5,352.31 so far from our hire revenue of the first branded excavator, and are really pleased to be able to add further to the fund with donations from our hire revenue of this second excavator as well.”