Crosshill business helps flood victims

A kind hearted businessman has repaired 15 water damaged cars free of charge after Fife was hit by severe floods two weeks ago to help people worst affected by the storm get back on their feet.

Michael Mclauchlan, owner of Next Gen Detailing and Valeting in Crosshill decided to help after seeing the devastation that the flooding had caused at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

Michael, who runs his valeting business with his wife Christine, worked for car companies that specialise in BMW and Volkswagen before setting up his own business in May last year.

He said: “After seeing the flooding at the hospital I thought that I would extend an olive branch to try to help some of the people who had been affected by the storm.

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"Since opening last year we have built a stable business, so we decided to do it for free – we were just wanting to help people.

"Some of the cars were in a real mess, I spent hours making sure that they were done right, that they were completely dry inside and that there would not be any nasty smells.

"Some days I wouldn’t finish at the garage until 2am and then I would be opening up the same morning at 9am – it was crazy.

"It was all worth it when I seen the owners faces, they just lit up because they were so happy.”

Chris King, who lives in Cardenden bore the brunt of the storm as his house and car were both damaged by the rising flood water, he said: “Michael actually contacted me through Facebook as he had seen that I was tagged in his post about helping people whose car had been damaged.

"My car was absolutely wrecked, the water was right up to the wing mirrors – I thought it was written off!

"Not only was my car flooded so was my house, I have lived there for 13 years with not so much as a puddle, it truly was a freak storm.

"Michael had my car for four or five days, and when he said I could pick it up he said that I wouldn’t recognise it, he was right, I was astounded and completely over the moon, my car looked better than when I bought it.”

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