The Countess of Wessex, Patron of the NSPCC, was welcomed to JCB HQ for a double engagement – to officially open a new £100 million factory and to receive a £300,000 cheque for the children’s charity.
The Countess visited JCB Cab Systems, Uttoxeter, and during a tour was given an insight into the hi-tech manufacturing plant, with its computerised production line, rainwater harvesting and heat capture systems. She later received a cheque for £300,000 for the NSPCC after a successful employee fundraising campaign.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford and his wife Carole welcomed The Countess to the plant, saying: “Britain, and Staffordshire, is a great place to manufacture and investing in Britain is something we will continue to do. Investing in this plant has, quite literally transformed our cab production business, bringing new levels of efficiency to our operations.”
Following the official opening, the Countess, attended a celebration to mark the culmination of JCB’s latest appeal for the NSPCC, which the Bamford Charitable Trust has supported for almost 40 years. She met more than 50 employees from all over JCB who have played key roles in the JCB NSPCC Platinum Jubilee Appeal, which was launched in 2021. The initial target was £70,000, although JCB employees smashed the goal raising £150,000.
The Countess was presented with a cheque for £300,000 by Lady Bamford - after The Bamford Charitable Trust doubled the amount raised by employees. As she handed over the cheque Lady Bamford paid tribute to everyone involved in the appeal.
She said: “JCB is a family business with family values, and it is those family values which have seen so many successful NSPCC appeals staged over the years. JCB’s roots in Staffordshire are very deep, just like those of the many thousands of families who work here. There is so much more work to do to end child cruelty, which is why it is so important to us to support the work of the NSPCC in a way which directly benefits the children of this county.”
