FIX AUTO MANCHESTER EAST’S GENEROUS COMMUNITY GESTURE

Fix Auto Manchester East has stepped in to help financially support a key community project aimed at supporting young children and teenagers throughout the community of Oldham.
The repairer has become a patron of Mahdlo Youth Zone, a community centre dedicated to providing help and support for youngsters aged between eight and 19 and for people with disabilities aged up to 25. The award-winning repairer, who was also a finalist in recent Oldham Business Awards, has agreed to support the community project for the next three years.
James Gore, Managing Director for Fix Auto Manchester East, said: “We are based right in the heart of Oldham and have extremely close links throughout the community, I don’t think there’s not a single person within our business that doesn’t live here or come from the area. Mahdlo Youth Zone is a phenomenal movement that helps and supports young people from all walks of life. To be able to support it and be an official patron is an honour.

“Myself and my brothers grew up and went to school in Oldham, as do my children, so it’s a privilege to be able to give something back to the community and to help the area prosper.”

Mahdlo – which is Oldham spelt in reverse - Youth Zone opened in 2012 and currently has an army of 96 volunteers who provide activities and support service seven days a week. This year it is hoping to raise £1.6 million to help fund its on-going services.

Lucy Lees, Mahdlo CEO, said: “My deepest gratitude to Fix Auto Manchester East for their generous support and commitment as a Silver Patron. Our partnership empowers us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oldham’s young people, fostering a brighter tomorrow for our community.”

Mahdlo is currently in the midst of a fundraising campaign to support its ‘Give and Take’ initiative that funds the charity’s pledge to provide free membership and entry fees to every session for all young people until the end of March 2024, provide free hot and nourishing meals seven days a week for as long as funding allows, give access to hot showers and washing facilities all year round and be a place where young people can receive the support and guidance they need and have the opportunities and experiences to give them the best start in life.

Michelle Gibbons, Mahdlo’s Corporate Partnerships and Engagement Fundraiser, says: “As the cost of living continues to impact on the nation, and with many families in Oldham feeling the pinch, support from the business community helps us to reduce some of the pressures our members and their families are experiencing.

“Almost 75 per cent of Mahdlo members come from the most deprived areas of the borough, which is in the top 10 of the most deprived areas in the country, so every penny of the donations we receive is going to those who need it the most.”

Caption:  Community support… James Gore, Managing Director of Fix Auto Manchester East, received his commemorative certificate from Mahdlo Youth Zone’s Corporate Sponsorship and Engagement Fundraiser Michelle Gibbons.

Notes to Editors:
· Fix Auto UK is part of a global franchised network of more than 925 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 shares in Fix Auto Goole and Fix Auto Cheltenham.
· Fix Auto Manchester East, Cross Street, Oldham, OL4 1JG. Tel: 0161 6241904.
Please Note: For further information please contact Mark Richards on 07774 861596. Email: mrichards@fixauto.co.uk