Skegness Seasiders are Back

Stagecoach Family Day packed with fun, health and well-being draws the crowds

Crowds turned out to celebrate the return of the popular open top Skegness Seasiders buses at a Family Fun Day at the Tower Esplanade in the town.

Stagecoach East Midlands teamed up with Active Lincolnshire for the action packed event, which marked the start of the Seasiders’ busy summer season.

The family day, on Thursday May 30, was also about encouraging people to take steps to focus on their health and wellbeing through the summer months, with advice from the Active Lincolnshire team. Entertainment included magic shows, balloon modelling, smoothie making exercise bikes, activity tips and the chance to win goody bags on the wheel of fortune.

The popular character buses including Rocky, Sandy, Sunny and Teddy are now back on the road for what is their 6^th year helping residents and holidaymakers get about in and around Skegness.

The family fun day has become an annual event, giving people, particularly children, the chance to enjoy the Seasiders close up.

Retired Seasider bus Hattie was the star attraction. She has been transformed into a play and community bus, and joined Seasiders Salty and Sweetie for the event.

As part of this year’s initiative to promote health and wellbeing, Stagecoach East Midlands donated £1000 to Active Lincolnshire to support their work in encouraging healthier lifestyles across the region. An extra £435 was also raised on the day through merchandise sales which will go towards charities that the Seasiders support.

The new Seasider book ‘Sweetie Enters the Olympics’ was also launched at the Family Day. It follows the story of Sweetie, who receives help from her Seasider friends to get her back in shape and ready to enter the Seasider Olympics.

Matt Cranwell, Managing Director, Stagecoach East Midlands said: “It was fantastic to see so many people join us to celebrate the start of the Seasider’s summer season and the launch of their new children’s book. The Seasiders are so well-loved in Skegness and beyond, so it was great to give holidaymakers and residents the chance to come along and enjoy a free day of family fun.”

Louise O’Reilly from Active Lincolnshire, said: “People took part in the various activities and we had lots of chats about how you can live a healthier lifestyle. It’s all about simple steps and habits. Our partnership with Stagecoach East Midlands this year is really helping us promote the importance of being physically active to communities across Lincolnshire.” The new illustrated children’s book is the latest in a series of Seasiders’ books. Priced at £2.50, 40% of the proceeds go to Active Lincolnshire to help with their goal to get people active and improve well-being. The book is available from the Travel shop in Skegness Bus Station or by calling 0345 605 0 605