Honiton motorbike mechanic thanked for services to local charity

A motorcycle mechanic from Honiton has been working for free to keep the Devon Freewheelers on the road.

Jesse Little, owner at BJS Engineering in Offwell, has waived his MOT fee for the Honiton-based charity's motorbikes for the last four years.

And when other Devon garages closed during the first Covid-19 lockdown, Jesse stayed open for the Devon Freewheelers and took on the charity's servicing, mechanics and MOTs from other areas of the county.

Russell Roe, Devon Freewheelers Deputy CEO, said Jesse's selfless efforts to support the charity were 'heartwarming'.

He said the 'thousands of pounds' Jesse had saved the charity over the years was ploughed back into keeping the vital service on the road.

Mr Roe said the charity was touched by Jesse's kindness, backing the work of the Devon Freewheelers though his garage.

He said: "If it wasn't for Jesse doing our MOTs, it would cost the charity thousands of pounds.

"What he doesn't realise is that every penny he saves us we can spend on the road, the community, the NHS and the patients.

"What he does for the Devon Freewheelers charity is phenomenal. It's heartwarming."

Mr Roe said Jesse was always at the end of the phone if the charity had a problem with one of the motorbikes.

"We only have to ask and he will do it for us, and if he can't, he will find someone who will help us. I didn't know there were so many good Samaritans out there who support the charity," said Mr Roe.

Mr Roe added: "It's all down to the volunteers at the end of the day – people who give and don't expect anything back. It's heartwarming.

"It means the charity can be all about the community and all about the patients."

Dad-of-one Jessi, aged 41, from Honiton, learned about the Devon Freewheelers through a friend who fundraised for the charity.

He said the service helped the residents and patients of Devon in a host of ways many living in the county were unaware of.

"I consider the charity at the same level as the air ambulance," said Jesse. "Any one of us, at some time, might need or benefit from the Devon Freewheelers and their service.

"I keep an eagle-eye on the bikes and make sure they are safe because they have to be ready to go.

"I like to help them because they are a good cause.

"I said would happily do their work and when it came to the MOTs, I said I would do them for nothing. It's my way of contributing."