A woman was hit with a parking fine while donating blood at a Worsley hotel - and then had her penalty ramped up to £100 after her appeal was rejected.
Caroline McKee, from Monton, said she was 'just doing a good deed' when she decided to give blood at the Novotel, Manchester West site, for the fifth time on May 23. However, just a few days after parking up and spending an hour donating her blood, she says she received a letter ordering her to pay £60.
She appealed the fine with Parkingeye, and says she even provided evidence that she had legitimately visited the site to give blood via a health appointment letter. But, this was then rejected, and her fine was initially increased to £100.
READ MORE Baby taken to hospital after Corsa smashes into car in police chase
Caroline said: "I went to the hotel to give blood for the fifth time. It has always been free, but unbeknown to me, Parkingeye have taken over and I didn't realise as I have never had to put any details in before.
"I parked up, was there for around an hour, and then got the fine. I thought it would be fine because I had proof that I had been there giving blood, so I sent off my appointment letter but the appeal was rejected.
"I cannot be the only person that has gotten caught out with this. It feels morally wrong. When you are trying to give blood, you are there doing a good deed, so it seems unfair to uphold the fine."
Caroline was told to pay £60 initially - but after she appealed it, the two week discount period had passed, meaning her fine had increased to £100. After the Manchester Evening News contacted the parking firm, they said they would reduce the charge to £20 as a 'gesture of goodwill'.
She added: "I didn't realise anything had changed, or saw any signs. You don't have to pay anyway, so proving to them that I was there to give blood should be enough.
"This could really put people off giving blood. These blood groups are crying out for people to give blood at the moment, and that is why I do it.
"It's not like I was doing anything deliberate. I was spending an hour giving pints of blood to save people's lives. To not overturn it when there is legitimate proof is unfair and morally wrong."
Parkingeye said that those visiting the hotel should enter their registration number at the screens provided at reception. They added that there are numerous 'prominent and highly-visible signs' providing car park guidance, but have now offered Caroline a reduced charge of £20.
A Parkingeye spokesperson said: “The car park at Novotel Manchester West is monitored by ANPR camera systems and has 18 prominent and highly-visible signs throughout providing guidance on how to use the car park responsibly. All visitors using the car park, including those donating blood, are required to register their details at reception.
“The motorist didn’t do this and therefore received a Parking Charge Notice. As a gesture of goodwill we offered the motorist a reduced charge of £20.
“Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their parking charge. If anyone has mitigating circumstances then we would encourage them to appeal."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- "It's a joke... it's a mess": Manchester Airport luggage abandoned on tarmac 'for HOURS in front of furious passengers'
- Rogue landlord who rented out flats without hot water or lighting hit with £20,000 fine
- Ban taxis from outside Greater Manchester to keep our region's air clean, government told
- St Ann's Square captured in unseen pics - from wonky seats to shopping heartland
- Man killed friend with punches to the head after finding out he had trashed their hotel room, jury hears
