A GARAGE has given something back to the community by giving away more than £214,000 worth of workshop time.

Ponthir Road Service Station has donated vouchers to sports clubs, charities, hospitals and schools in Gwent which all offer a free MOT or service.

It is then up to the beneficiaries of these vouchers to sell them at whatever price they want, and they can keep the money and put it towards future projects.

The garage sets aside two hours a day for the work and doesn’t receive a penny of the money the vouchers bring in.

Garage owner Mike Jefferies came up with the idea as he felt it was a good way of giving something back to the community.

“We’ve given them vouchers and they can keep what they sell,” he said. “Each charity has been given about 50 MOTs that are valid for the next five years to sell.

“It’s a good deal for customers as well as most clubs and charities are selling them for less than their retail value.

“I had workshop time available that I could never sell, so I thought this would help us build an affinity with local schools, sports clubs and charities.

“It is not up to us how much they sell them for. Caerleon school sold them at their fair whereas other schools wrote to parents offering them the chance to buy the voucher at a discounted price. It gives us the opportunity to offer something back.”

The giveaway has been split between the Caerleon and Abergavenny garages and all vouchers have been progressively given away since early November.

It is anticipated that the last of the vouchers will be given away by the end of December, with Mr Jeffries very pleased at the success of the idea so far.

“Customers who’ve purchased or won a voucher bring their car in,” he added. “We then service their car and stamp their voucher, then they walk out without a bill.

“We try and focus on places where children are involved, such as Caerleon rugby and football club that we’ve helped out.”