I & H Brown is aiming to reach £10,000 and Winchburgh Developments Limited (WDL) is matching this amount and donating funds to the local community. The community donations are set to benefit a range of local groups including Winchburgh Youth Club, Winchburgh Albion Youth FC, the Winchburgh Gala, Winchburgh Community Development Trust, Winchburgh Church, local schools, local carers support and the Winchburgh Seniors Club. 

Following a competition among the primary 7 pupils at Winchburgh Primary School, the excavator has been named ‘The Lockdown Ranger’.  

The winner of the competition, Jessica, said: “It was really fun coming up with the name. I chatted with my family and friends to help get some ideas. I decided The Lockdown Ranger was my favourite, and I was really happy that it won!” 

Duncan Brown, cirector, I & H Brown, added: “Given the challenges that everyone is facing from the pandemic, the team at I & H Brown want to do our bit to support the NHS in its continued effort to fight the virus and rebuild. It has been great to involve the local community in this, and we hope to raise a good sum of money for this extremely worthy cause.”  

Ian Harvey, head teacher at Winchburgh Primary School, said: “It was fantastic to involve the pupils of Winchburgh Primary in the naming of the excavator, especially during these restricted times we are in. The pupils feel very involved with the park and marina especially and look forward to seeing these projects take shape over the coming months.” 

John Hamilton, chief executive, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, added: “We fully support this charity initiative launched by I&H Brown to raise funds for NHS charities. We have also been aware of the challenges  some  of the local voluntary groups have faced this year and  I am delighted that our match funding to this initiative will help them reconnect and respond to the changing times they are adapting to work in. We have built a good relationship with the community and it is important for us to support them in any way we can.” 

I&H Brown is one of the key contractors appointed by WDL to deliver the Masterplan for Winchburgh and is currently managing the remediation of former Auldcathie landfill site which is being transformed into an 85-acre district park and the new Winchburgh Marina. Through its work with WDL, I&H Brown has supported the local community in Winchburgh and the neighbouring areas in a number of ways, from offering regular work experience programmes with West Lothian College, to providing equipment for local community groups including the primary schools and the Winchburgh Community Growing Group. 

The NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal is an umbrella charity organisation which encompasses a range of NHS charities. Donations can be made to NHS Charities Together here.