A Yorkshire dealer group is inviting customers to give its technicians a hug in exchange for a donation to Children In Need.

West Riding Toyota dealerships in Bradford, Huddersfield and Silsden are hosting the UK's first 'Hug a Service Technician' event until the end of October.

 

Customers will be invited to choose which technician they would like to hug before climbing into customer coveralls.

Receptionists on standby

West Riding will donate £5 to Children in Need for every hug requested - on a strictly one hug per customer basis.

Hugs will be administered during breaks in work so not to detract from the technicians' auto-maintaining tasks.

If demand proves too intense, car salespeople and reception staff are on standby to fulfil customers' hug requirements.

Serious message on car maintenance

The 'Hug a Service Technician' event is to raise money for Children in Need and urge Yorkshire drivers to have a closer relationship with their cars and the mechanics that look after them - before winter driving conditions deteriorate too much.

West Riding Toyota group aftersales manager Geoff Kay said: "It's a fun event, but we've got a serious message.

"A trip to the garage doesn't need to be an intimidating affair. In fact, the correct advice will seriously improve your chances of safe driving as winter driving conditions get worse.

"It's just not worth taking a risk. Our technicians here at West Riding Toyota are an approachable, friendly bunch and always happy to help. And they're happy to hug to prove it."