Garage delivers the wheel-good factor
An NHS nurse who was left stranded after her car was vandalised has been overwhelmed after getting her repaired vehicle back free of charge thanks to a local Washington repair centre.
Sylvia Hunter, 59, an NHS practice nurse, was left distraught after the late-night vandalism attack on her car on Good Friday.
The incident meant Sylvia could no longer carry out her work, which involved visiting elderly and vulnerable residents who are self-isolating due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Her granddaughter Adelle Turner set up a fundraising page in an effort to raise £500 to cover the cost of the repairs, but word quickly spread and more than double that amount flooded in.
The family was blown away by the support they received, and when workers stepped in to fix the car for free, it was the icing on the cake.
After seeing what had happened on Facebook, staff at Body Craft Auto Repair Centre were keen to do everything possible to help Sylvia get her car fixed free of charge.
They have now presented Sylvia with her fixed car and a bouquet of flowers that was donated by another customer.
Mechanic Marcus Colema, 45, said: “There’s no reason why this should have ever happened to her. It’s just wrong. I saw what had happened and thought it would be nice to give something back.
“She didn’t deserve what happened at all. After meeting her she’s a very genuine person and that’s why I wanted to do the car for free.”
The garage is currently working with a skeleton staff of just three and taking all precautions while working, including wearing face masks, gloves and cleaning all cars with anti bacterial spray.
Adelle said Autoglass had also helped, with regional director Charles Rose contacted her to say that he was fast-tracking a windscreen from Leicester.
The money raised will now be donated to charities.
“For my nana, it will be Macmillan Cancer Support and for me, it will be the Antenatal Unit at the Sunderland Royal Hospital,” said Adelle.