Finning has revealed the two winners of its ‘Win Big’ competition, each receiving brand-new Cat® excavators to help power their projects forward.
Finning UK & Ireland launched the free-to-enter competition, organised to mark Caterpillar’s 100th anniversary, with one winner in mind, however the high calibre of entries led to Finning naming two winners: the Colin Burt Reserve for Wildlife Conservation and Valley Veterans.
Both winners were invited to Finning UK & Ireland headquarters in Cannock, Staffordshire to celebrate their win with the Finning team. During the day Finning provided training on mini excavators, as well as tutorial on how the new machine owners can get the very best from their new excavators with telematics.
The Colin Burt Reserve, in Killin in the central Highlands of Scotland, opened in 2005 in memory of keen conservationist Colin Burt who died aged 38 following a motorcycle accident. The 50 acre site was a poor-quality piece of waste wet land and is now a diverse nature reserve open to all. The project has won a Cat 301.6 excavator to continue its development.
Valley Veterans, a charity based in the Rhondda Valley, was founded more than 20 years ago as an informal support group for PTSD sufferers and is now a vibrant hub with more than 140 active participants. Its Equi-Grow project includes the development of a purpose-built equine and horticultural space for activities supporting the mental and physical health and wellbeing of veterans. It has won a Cat 301.5 excavator to help get groundwork underway.
To mark Caterpillar’s centenary year in 2025, Finning hosted the giveaway on its website, asking participants: ‘How would winning a Cat machine or generator help you build something that lasts?’
Gary Megarrell, Managing Director at Finning UK and Ireland, said the high quality of the entries meant it was impossible to select just one winner.
He said: “The 100th anniversary of Caterpillar provided the perfect opportunity to gift our winners with the equipment they need to take their projects forward.
“The answers from the Colin Burt Reserve and Valley Veterans truly embodied the values we share at Finning around safety and inclusivity.
Caterpillar’s centenary and Finning’s desire to have a positive impact within the community “We are delighted both organisations are now the owners of mini excavators, and that this will make a real, tangible difference to their projects and to their visitors. This prize-giving has been a fantastic way to mark what has been a very memorable year celebrating the Finning partnerships.”
The winners were given the choice between a Cat 301.6 excavator or a Cat DE110E2 genset as their prize. They were also automatically enrolled in a set of monthly prize draws – with rewards up for grabs including a trip to Malaga.
Ashley Pearson of the Colin Burt Reserve, said: “We encourage participation in practical conservation tasks and wildlife habitat improvements, and our work includes carrying out regular maintenance and projects to promote increased biodiversity.
“Winning this Cat excavator means we can progress our development plans so that even more visitors can experience being in the outdoors.”
Valley Veterans was last year honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. It has been presented with the centenary celebration Cat machine that was on display at Finning’s headquarters in Cannock during the anniversary year.
Nigel Locke, Secretary at Valley Veterans, said: “This recognition from Finning comes on the back of a remarkable year for us, and inspires us to keep working to make a difference to veterans and their families.
“The Equi-Grow project will allow Valley Veterans to vastly increase capacity to train and mentor existing members as well as extending the offer to a far wider veteran and community cohort in the South Wales Valleys region.
“Having the new excavator means we can focus on delivering the project and support more veterans to combat the challenges resulting from isolation and loneliness.”
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