Sunderland NHS worker bowled over by kindness after vandalism attack on her car sparks outpouring of generosity

Sylvia Hunter, an NHS practice nurse, was left stranded after a late-night vandalism attack on her car on Good Friday, April 10.

The incident meant the 59-year-old, from Farrindgon, could no longer carry out her work, which involves visiting elderly and vulnerable residents who are isolating due to the coronavirus outbreak.

But an outpouring of kindness has left her family speechless after a fundraiser set up by her granddaughter aiming to raise the cost of the repairs saw more than a thousand pounds raised in a few days – more than twice the amount she needed.

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 at the time of writing, the total raised stands at over £1,200.

Adelle said: “I was just looking for support from close friends and colleagues. I wanted to surprise my nana with the money to repair her car.”

And as the icing on the cake, companies stepped in to do the work for free, leaving Sylvia and Adelle able to donate the money raised to help good causes.

“I’m lost for words at the amount of support, I’ve had people message me saying that they will repair the car for free,” she said.

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“Autoglass regional director Charles Rose contacted me to say that he was fast-tracking a windscreen from Leicester.”

Body Craft Auto Repair Centre in Washington has also taken care of the damage to the bodywork, again, free of charge.

Sylvia and Adelle are now planning on how to use the rest of the money now that the repairs are underway.

“We are planning to donating some of the money to charities that are close to our hearts.

“For my nana, it will be Macmillan Cancer Support and for me, it will be the Antenatal Unit at the Sunderland Royal Hospital.

“We then plan to create packages for care homes and key workers with the rest.”

Adelle also has a message to all of those who have helped over the last few days.

She said: “I am unbelievably thankful from the bottom of my heart. The level of generosity at a time like this is incredible.”

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