Organisers of the 8th Annual Herne Bay Bus Rally held on Sunday 3 August are delighted to announce that over £13,000 has been raised to support Demelza Hospice Care for Children. Whilst some of the money was raised by the sale of programmes and a variety of competitions and a raffle supported with prizes from local businesses, £10,000 was donated from Stagecoach founder and Chief Executive Brian Souter.

He sponsored the regional Stagecoach Managing Director Paul Southgate who offered to perform as a clown to support the charity. The bus depot filled with visitors who were keen to enjoy the entertainment and demonstrations and view the selection of new and historic buses.  Many people had the opportunity to enjoy vintage bus rides along the sea front. 

Rally organiser Graham Young and Neil Instrall, Operations Director at Stagecoach, greeted Cllr Carolyn Parry, the Lord Mayor of Canterbury with her husband and children who toured the rally and took a ride on one of the Bristol FLF ECW open top buses.  The VIPS were also joined by Miss Herne Bay Emma Foster, and Princesses Hannah Kemp and Charlotte Farrant. 

“We are delighted with the total raised for the Demelza Hospice,” said Graham Young.  “This year the introduction of entertainment ensured that the rally was appreciated as much by families as that of the dedicated bus enthusiasts.”