Will Thomson Returns to the Road to Raise Awareness of Hospice Care

One year after completing his inspiring bus-only journey from Margate to Liverpool, hospice supporter Will Thomson has successfully completed a return trip in the opposite direction, once again helping to raise awareness of the vital role hospices play in communities across the UK.

58-year-old Will Thomson recently completed the return leg of his remarkable charity challenge, travelling from Liverpool to Margate entirely by public bus. Armed with little more than his bus pass and a handful of essentials, Will undertook the journey to shine a spotlight on hospice care and the charitable support that enables hospices to continue serving patients and families nationwide.

The challenge followed his successful 2025 trip from Margate to Liverpool, which captured the imagination of passengers, bus enthusiasts and hospice supporters across the country. This year's journey continued Will's mission to raise awareness of charitable hospices and the invaluable care they provide to patients and families.

Hospices hold a deeply personal significance for Will and his family. His father-in-law spent his final days at Woodlands Hospice in Liverpool, where he received compassionate end-of-life care following a prostate cancer diagnosis. Will's father, Willie Thomson, was cared for by Pilgrims Hospices in 2020 after being transferred from the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital. He passed away shortly before the first national COVID-19 lockdown.

Reflecting on the completion of the challenge, Will said: “Last year's journey was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had, and I always hoped to complete the journey in reverse. Along the way I met some incredible people and had the opportunity to talk about the amazing work that hospices do every day. The support I received once again was fantastic and it reinforced just how much people value hospice care. My aim has always been to help more people understand that hospices are charities which rely heavily on public support and donations to continue their work.” 

The journey also served as a tribute to Will's late father and the family's long-standing connection to the transport industry. Willie Thomson spent many years working as a coach and bus driver, and Will proudly describes the family as having “diesel in our blood”. Throughout the journey, Will met fellow passengers, transport colleagues and supporters, helping to generate conversations about hospice care while collecting donations for hospice charities.

Rob Jones, Managing Director of Stagecoach Merseyside, said: “We were delighted to support Will as he completed this remarkable challenge for a second consecutive year. His determination to use public transport to connect communities while highlighting the importance of hospice care is truly inspiring. Hospices provide invaluable support to patients and families during some of life's most difficult moments, and Will's commitment to raising awareness of their work deserves tremendous recognition. On behalf of everyone at Stagecoach Merseyside, I'd like to congratulate Will on successfully completing the journey and thank him for continuing to champion such an important cause.”

Having completed the challenge, Will hopes the journey has encouraged more people to learn about the important work of hospices and the difference they make to families every day. His message remains simple: hospice care provides dignity, compassion and support when it matters most, and public support is essential to ensuring that care remains available for those who need it.