Following its launch at the show, it was quickly put to work on one of the region’s most significant road improvement schemes. Flannery Plant Hire, an influential plant hire company in the UK and Europe, donated the JCB 140X for the initiative. With a vast modern fleet and a presence on many of the UK’s biggest infrastructure projects, Flannery’s involvement brings scale, credibility and visibility.
Michael Miller, Operations Manager at Flannery, said the partnership reflects the company’s core values: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do and supporting Air Ambulance UK as our chosen charity for 2025 was a natural fit for us. The team provides life-saving critical care when every second counts which is often the case when an accident happens in our industry.”
Flannery employees have already raised around fifteen thousand pounds across the business through various fundraising efforts, with the wrapped machine now acting as an on-site symbol of their commitment.
The machine is now on the major A47 and A11 improvement project in East Anglia, delivered by Skanska, one of the biggest construction companies in the world. With hundreds of workers on site daily and thousands of motorists passing the project each week, it is an ideal location for raising awareness. The Air Ambulance UK branding stands out prominently against the backdrop of heavy machinery and highway works.
Jason Rackley, Skanska works manager on the project, said the team was delighted to support the initiative: “Wherever we are working in the country we always like to support the local air ambulance service. I have personally seen the service in action and without it, lives would be lost.”
Wrapped With Care
The machine’s distinctive look is thanks to Brandfix, one of the UK’s leading machinery and fleet branding specialists, who provided and installed the full wrap completely free of charge. Their contribution ensured the machine achieved maximum impact at Plantworx and continues to stand out on site. The vibrant colours and sharp graphics make it immediately recognisable, turning it into a long-term awareness tool for the charity.
Awesome Earthmovers played an important role in initiating the collaboration, helping bring the partners together and develop the concept. With a large audience across print, social media and digital platforms, AE is now helping to share the story across the wider construction community.
Director Dale Hawkins said AE was proud to support the project, explaining, “Here at Awesome Earthmovers with our large platforms across print and social media we are happy to promote the industry and raise awareness of the charity. We are proud to have been involved in this collaboration.”
The initiative gained additional momentum through Miller UK, who auctioned a specially branded excavator bucket to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service. First unveiled at a local community fair and later displayed at Plantworx, the bucket was purchased for five thousand pounds by Flannery’s managing director Patrick Flannery. It will now be displayed at Flannery’s Wembley depot before eventually entering active service.
Life Saving Rescues
Head of corporate fund raising, Air Ambulance UK, Mark Heaven says such fund-raising events are critical to the work of the charity. “Last year we responded to 50,000 emergencies including 8,500 road accidents.
“One of those incidents involved a man working in a remote yard when he cut his hand open. He would have bled out if he hadn’t got to hospital. Our air ambulance staff kept him stable before he was transported by road to hospital – it saved his life.”
In another recent accident, the team at Air Ambulance Northern Ireland came to the rescue when a worker at a local building supplies yard got an arm trapped above the elbow. Because of the complexity of the incident, the man had to be anaesthetised at the scene while teams worked to safely free his arm.
Thanks to the rapid response of the Air Ambulance crew, the expert emergency care delivered on site, and the follow up treatment at hospital in Belfast, the man’s arm was saved.
“OUR AIR AMBULANCE STAFF KEPT HIM STABLE BEFORE HE WAS TRANSPORTED BY ROAD TO HOSPITAL –
IT SAVED HIS LIFE
.”
“It’s brilliant to see the involvement of companies like Flannery, JCB, Miller UK, Skanska and Awesome Earthmovers. They are all well-known and respected brands and help us not only to raise awareness of what we do and encourage others to follow their example but more importantly their contributions help save lives across the construction industry and in the wider community.”
The wrapped JCB 140X stands as an example of what the construction industry can achieve when major companies work together. Flannery provided the machine, Brandfix delivered the wrap, Skanska supplied the high-profile site, Awesome Earthmovers helped bring the idea together and spread the message, and Miller UK contributed significant fundraising support.
Together, the industry has created a meaningful awareness campaign that will continue to make an impact for as long as the machine remains in operation - with a JCB 140X this should be a very long time.
Air Ambulance UK flies every day, but its ability to continue depends on the support of industries and individuals. Through collaborative efforts like this, the sector is helping ensure that lifesaving crews remain ready, equipped and able to respond whenever they are needed most. Featured at Plantworx 2026