Sturgess Group is among the first franchised dealers to sign up to the new 'Give A Scrap' initiative from motor industry charity BEN.

‘Give a Scrap’ was announced at last month's AM Awards and provides a highly efficient and effective way to dispose of any unwanted or unusable vehicles and then donate the value to BEN.

Operating in partnership with Remove My Car, the scheme offers an established and hassle-free solution for disposing of MoT failures and vehicles that are just too expensive to repair. Vehicles will be collected for free within 48 working hours.

Sturgess Group chairman Chris Sturgess said: “As soon as I heard about Give a Scrap my immediate reaction was ‘What a great idea!’ It gives Sturgess Group a simple means of making regular donations to BEN and aiding the amazing support they offer everyone in our industry.”

BEN hopes the new scheme will appeal to all independent garages, service outlets and MOT stations where customers often request disposal of these vehicles on their behalf.

With thousands of cars recycled by the industry each year if every UK outlet donated a minimum of one vehicle annually it would make a significant contribution to the number of people BEN can help. 

Nigel Williams, BEN’s commercial development manager, said: “The immediate reaction to ‘Give a Scrap’ indicates that this is a going to be a great success.  I confidently predict we will see many more outlets following the lead set by Sturgess Group in the coming weeks.”

On average, these vehicles raise £125 in salvage - just one donation could purchase a wheelchair, while more could give emergency support for those made homeless following a relationship or fund a weekend's respite care for someone caring for a terminally ill relative.

During the next 12 months BEN asks participants to donate vehicles for recycling through http://ben.org.uk/wegiveascrap and help industry colleagues in times of stress and need.