Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions has donated a refurbished Ford Transit Luton Van to the Re-Use Community Project in Milton Keynes.

Re-Use raises money for a number of charities through the resale of unwanted household items and clothing donated by residents of Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas. This reduces impact on landfill while helping less fortunate individuals and families, and raising money for Alzheimer’s.

The van was donated on national television on Boxing Day, with millions of viewers able to see the handover of the van on ITV’s Surprise Surprise programme. This also provided valuable exposure for the project, with the vehicle now recognisable on the roads around the local community.

Hitachi Capital was inspired by the project after being approached by Surprise Surprise. Remaining true to the project’s ethos, Hitachi Capital donated a vehicle that was, until recently, in service with a corporate client. It was fully refurbished by the vehicle preparation centre team at Hitachi Capital’s Trowbridge campus.

The vehicle will be an essential tool for the charity, not only collecting and delivering donations from the local community, but also promoting and advertising the charity in the process. As a modern vehicle, it will also be cheaper to run, achieving better fuel economy with lower emissions when collecting and delivering items for the project.

Margaret Mann at the Re-Use Community Project said: “We are overwhelmed by Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions’ generosity. We are always surprised by the amount people donate, especially over Christmas, but Hitachi Capital has taken this to the next level. It completely understood our key message and donated something that will have a direct positive impact on our local community.”

Matt Schembri, head of marketing and strategy at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, added: “We were really impressed by the work of Re-Use and its ability to make a positive impact on the local community in Milton Keynes. The project’s story and ethos inspired us to help them by donating this vehicle, which I am sure will help in the future success of the project in the years to come.”