A SCRAP car charity donation scheme has been relaunched by a Southampton-based vehicle recycler to support community charities in light of Covid-19.

UDonateacar, the fundraising initiative from Silverlake Automotive Recycling in Botley Road, has launched once more to support small charities helping to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged people and communities.

Services provided by these charities include foodbanks, support for abuse and trauma, bereavement, homelessness, illness, isolation and loneliness, poverty, mental health, disability, carers and lack of opportunity.

Allen Prebble, managing director, of Silverlake Automotive Recycling, said: "The Covid pandemic has created challenges and compounded suffering in a way that previously could not be imagined.

"Funding for charities has never been more in need and we wanted to provide our customers an easy way they can make a difference too, by supporting vital small charities that might otherwise get overlooked, via our scheme.

"We’re excited to see how much we can achieve with this new partnership with Make Some Noise."

The automotive recycler's relaunch event was attended by charity representatives, local businesses and dignitaries.

Players from Eastleigh Football Club, where Silverlake is the stadium sponsor, unveiled a UDonateacar fundraising barometer at the event.

Customers visiting UDonateacar.com can get a competitive valuation and choose how much of the value of their car they wish to donate.

Then, 100 per cent of the chosen amount goes to Global’s Make Some Noise with no hidden fees.

The UDonateacar team will collect the car for free, handle all the DVLA paperwork, make the payments to the owner and the charity and provide a donation receipt.

Emma Bradley, managing director of Global’s Make Some Noise, said: "It’s fantastic news that Silverlake has selected Global’s Make Some Noise as its Charity of the Year, using its UDonateacar platform.

"Together we hope to make a huge difference to many amazing small charities and projects doing life changing work in communities across the UK."

Students from colleges in and around Southampton have been invited to take part in a competition to design a UDonateacar car sticker, to be given to all who make a donation through the scheme.

Each month, those who donated will also be entered into a prize draw to win hospitality tickets for a home game at Eastleigh Football Club.