Sunderland NHS worker presented with car back - fixed free of charge - after vandalism attack

Sylvia Hunter, 59, an NHS practise nurse, was left distraught after the late-night vandalism attack on her car on Good Friday, April 10.

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.

Adelle said Autoglass had also helped, with regional director Charles Rose contacted her to say that he was fast-tracking a windscreen from Leicester.

She said 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.

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

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.