FIX AUTO MID DEVON’S GOLDEN CHARITY CHALLENGE SUCCESS

A team of intrepid colleagues from Fix Auto Mid Devon successfully embarked on a charity challenge that saw them walk a kilometre for each year their Crediton company has been in business… all 50 of them!
Toby Wood, Steve Gale, John Wiggins and Malcolm Street managed to complete the arduous trek across Dartmoor from Okehampton to Ivybridge in just under 12 hours, raising an impressive £3,000 for the British Heart Foundation.
Such was the challenge, unfortunately five colleagues including company owner Louise Woolacott who started alongside them were advised to retire at the halfway checkpoint by the event organisers.  
Said Louise: “The trek was absolutely brutal, so I can only applaud the fabulous four who made it all the way to the finish line!
“We knew it was going to be our toughest charity challenge yet, which is why we choose it to mark our 50th anniversary, but we really didn’t expect the course to be as challenging. The terrain, the warm weather, the steep hills and descents were savage. Toby, Steve, John and Malcolm really were like machines, they just kept going and going and were unphased by what the course threw at us. Just when they needed an extra boost, the guys were joined by David Sutcliffe of Grove who gave them a much needed burst of energy and enthusiasm during the final leg.”
Louise added: “Those of us who didn’t complete the 50km course have vowed to come back fighting next year!”
The British Heart Foundation is particularly poignant to the team for the husband of a colleague recently needed emergency heart bypass surgery following a totally unexpected heart attack and another colleague’s daughter was born with a serious heart defect.

The business was formed in 1970 by Louise’s in-laws Geoff and Sheila Woolacott. It was an extremely humble business during those early days whereby Geoff repaired the vehicles and Sheila managed the books. As his reputation as a fine repairer grew, so did the business. Today, they oversee two large operations – the family opened their second site in Newton Abbot 18 months ago – and employ 50 people across the two sites and repair approximately 3,000 vehicles annually.
Louise added: “Being part of a family-owned business that has served an area for more than 50 years is an incredible achievement and it’s one we are extremely proud of. The business actually surpassed that milestone 18 months ago but the pandemic put our celebrations on hold.”

To support the team and donate, please follow the details to the Fix Auto Mid Devon Just Giving Page.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fixautomiddevon50kminaday?

Notes to Editors:
· Fix Auto UK is part of a global franchised network of more than 780 bodyshops.
· Fix Auto UK carries out more than 150,000 body repairs per year for leading motor insurance companies, fleets, and retail customers.
· Fix Auto UK, Lyndale House, Harcourt Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, LE19 1WL. Tel: 0116 3265401.
· Fix Auto UK’s Portfolio of wholly owned repair centres comprises Fix Auto Daventry, Fix Auto Colwyn Bay, Fix Auto Barnsley, Fix Auto Crawley, Fix Auto Paignton, Fix Auto Liverpool South, Fix Auto Castleford, Fix Auto Newport and Fix Auto Henley-on-Thames. The Network also holds a majority share in Fix Auto Goole.
· Fix Auto Mid Devon – Marsh Road, Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, Crediton, EX17 1EU  10, Festival Trade Park. Tel: 01363 772066.
Please Note: For further information please contact Mark Richards on 07774 861596. Email: mrichards@fixauto.co.uk