Generous Waterlooville garage owner repairs nurse’s car for free

Community nurse, Helen Brunton, 59, damaged her Renault Twingo after a it rolled into a wall while she was visiting a patient. Needing a new rear bumper and partial respray she faced a bill of over £600.

However, after taking her car to Perkins Automotive in Waterlooville the garage offered to repair her car free of charge and even threw in a set of protective car seat covers.

Helen said: ‘I’m completely overwhelmed with this gesture. They told me they would complete the repairs without charge because I’m working for the NHS visiting vulnerable patients in the community. I even offered to pay for parts but they wouldn’t take it.’

The gesture is all the more remarkable as the garage is currently only repairing one car a day and has had to furlough staff to keep the business going during the coronavirus crisis.

Garage owner, Neil Perkins, 41, said: ‘We wanted to do our bit to support to support the NHS. It might cost the business money but I’m not putting my life on the line to look after patients who could potentially have the virus.

‘Helen was devastated with what had happened to the car and I wanted to give something back.’

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With Helen’s daily duties involving home visits to the elderly, infirm and terminally ill, it was imperative she got her car back on the road as quickly as possible.

‘A lot of these people are currently classed as shielding from the virus and need me to administer their medication out in the community. I’m dependent on my car to carry all my medication and equipment and it’s also my place of sanctuary if I have had a particularly traumatic day,’ she said.

With Helen now back on the road, Neil said the fact she could continue to visit her patients made ‘it all worthwhile’.

The kind-hearted boss also confirmed he is currently re-spraying another nurse’s car – a job which would normally cost ‘over £1,000’ – for just £100.

‘I heard on Facebook that someone had scratched her car with a key,’ said Neil. ‘She works at Queen Alexandra Hospital on the front line. I just wanted to do what I can as she is risking her life every day.’

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