A GARAGE in Wokingham will be offering MoTs with a difference this Saturday – instead of paying them, you make a donation to charity.
Staff at Citroemech in Eastheath Avenue off Molly Millars Lane will be holding a fundraising day for Macmillan Cancer Care. Anyone getting their vehicle tested will be asked to log on to a special JustGiving page and help further the charity’s work.
Ray Cook, who runs the popular garage, said that the event is just one of a number of ways in which the company aims to give back to the community and is looking forward to welcoming customers on Saturday.
“The day runs from 8.30am to 4pm and we’re carrying out an MoT test for free. Afterwards, we will ask anyone who has one to go on to our JustGiving page to make a donation,” he said.
“We did a similar event last year. An MoT is around £50, some people give more than that and all the money we raise will go to Macmillan.
The event will be more than just a chance to have your car inspected.
Mr Cook added: “A number of our customers are baking cakes: tea, coffee and a barbecue will be going, offering hot dogs. We’ll have a donation bucket available.”
The company chooses a different charity to support each year. Last year, it raised £4,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Research fund. Its link-up with Macmillan has come out of another group that Mr Cook works with, business networking team BNI.
He explained: “This year we’re raising money for Macmillan because of Natalie Hill, another BNI member and Fundraising Manager for the charity.”
Mr Cook is also planning a major challenge this autumn to raise even more funds for the charity: “In October I’m doing the Polar Bear challenge in Greenland. On the Saturday I’m doing a marathon and on the Sunday a half-marathon. It you do the two it’s called the Polar Bear Challenge. It’s really difficult.
“You can’t train for the temperature or the cold air in your lungs.”
To book an MoT for Saturday or to help make a donation call the garage on 0118 979 4204.
