Vertu Motors

A charity, dedicated to transforming the lives of offenders, their families, and communities, has unveiled in more detail how a substantial donation from Vertu Motors plc has helped with its work.

The Vertu Motors group contributed £140,000 to Junction 42, based at Brunswick Methodist Church, in Newcastle, which supports the welfare of prisoners while they are serving their sentences, as well as helping them reintegrate back into society on their release.

Half of the money has supported Junction 42’s Stories of Hope packs scheme, which was first started as a response to COVID-19 restrictions, which saw most prisoners confined to their cells for the majority of the day.

The charity procured 200,000 items to makes 19,211 packs, which included a prayer journal, a faith-based musical CD, a United Christian Broadcasters’ Word for Today, inspiring life story testimonies, and a Prison Fellowship bookmark.

Joanne O’Connor, Director at Junction 42, said: “We launched the worship packs in response to the pandemic when a lot of prisoners were confined to their cells for 23-and-a-half hours a day, with no access to the chapel, services or other faith resources.

“The idea was to reach out to men and women in their cells to keep them spiritually sustained and engaged, and to help minimise frustration, anxiety, and depression.

“This scheme, and other work that we do, would not be possible without the generous support of organisations such as Vertu Motors plc.”

The packs are distributed every three months to anyone who would like to receive one while in prison in England and Scotland. Junction 42 aims to distribute 80,000 packs this year alone.

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors plc, said: “Junction 42 offers support and hope to people when they are at their lowest ebb.

“The charity’s agility in adapting their support, to meet changing needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, is to be commended.

“Fundamental to our Group’s culture is looking at how we can help organisations in the wider community make a difference; we are delighted that our donation to Junction 42 is part of that.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to Editors

Vertu Motors plc is the fifth largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network of 160 sales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Motors and Macklin Motors brand names.

Vertu Motors plc was established in November 2006 with the strategy to consolidate the UK motor retail sector. It is intended that the Group will continue to acquire motor retail operations to grow a scaled dealership group. The Group’s acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth strategy to drive operational efficiencies through its national dealership network. The Group currently operates 156 franchised sales outlets and 4 non-franchised sales operations from 120 locations across the UK.

Vertu’s Mission Statement is to “deliver an outstanding customer motoring experience through honesty and trust”.

Vertu Motors Group websites – investors.vertumotors.com / www.vertucareers.com
Vertu brand websites – www.vertumotors.com / www.bristolstreet.co.uk / www.macklinmotors.co.uk / www.vertumotorcycles.com / www.vansdirect.co.uk / www.thetaxicentre.com / www.powerbulbs.com