In the Bobcat Challenge, held in aid of the Finn’s First Steps and Irish Autism Action charities, the Boyzone team of Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy took on a team from Today FM, Ireland‘s biggest radio station, comprising DJs Anton Savage and Neil Delamare, for the honour of winning funds for the charity of their choice.

The Challenge was organised jointly by Today FM and Limerick-based Adare Machinery, an Authorised Dealer for the Bobcat and Doosan Heavy ranges in Ireland.


Keith Duffy of Boyzone takes on Bobcat Challenge

The idea for the event followed a visit made by Anton Savage to the Adare Machinery stand at Ireland’s 2015 National Ploughing Championships held in September and Today FM wants to make this an annual event. Though the Boyzone team eventually won the day, donations from Adare Machinery and Bobcat ensured there were no losers with both charities receiving 1000 euros for their worthy causes.

William Cuddy of Adare Machinery said: “I think that Anton was inspired by the Bobcat and Doosan machines we had working on our biggest ever stand at the National Ploughing Championships and we are delighted to have been able to help in putting on the first ever Bobcat Challenge."


The Bobcat Challenge Contestants with William Cuddy of Adare Machinery (far right)

The Bobcat Challenge involved each of the teams taking part in three challenges using two Bobcat S530 skid-steer loaders and two Bobcat E26 mini-excavators (mini-diggers):

• Challenge 1A: Mini-Digger Challenge - Lower pin into 3 x cylinders
• Challenge 1B: Mini-Digger Challenge - Using the bucket and clamp, pick up 3 x footballs and drop them into a container
• Challenge 2: Skid-steer Loader Challenge - Move the skid-steer loader through a series of obstacles and then around a course
• Challenge 3: Team Challenge – Using the skid-steer loader collect 3 tyres and drive through a series of cones and drop tyres for teammate.