Santa swaps sleigh for buses to support Demelza Hospice Care for Children

Stagecoach South East has announced that Father Christmas has agreed to drive some of its buses this festive season. 

This December, Santa himself will be taking time out of his 'bus-y' schedule to drive buses across Kent and East Sussex, spreading #FestiveWishes in the lead up to Christmas.

He'll be helping raise vital funds for Demelza Hospice Care for Children – a charity supporting children with serious or terminal conditions and their families.

A handful of buses across the region will be given a festive makeover and customers will be encouraged to take a free bauble and make a donation to the charity. 

Demelza, which is almost entirely dependent on donations to keep its services going, launched its #FestiveWishes campaign to help support more than 600 children in the local area.

For some children who use the charity’s services, this Christmas could be their last. Demelza will provide expert medical care to hundreds of families this festive season, and help give them a Christmas to remember.

Customers who spot Santa Claus behind the wheel are being encouraged to share a picture on Twitter and tag @StagecoachSE using #FestiveWishes

Petra Bones, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager at Demelza said: “We are looking forward to spotting Father Christmas driving the buses and are very grateful to Stagecoach and their customers for their generosity.

“88% of our funding comes from our supporters and now more than ever, it is vital we can continue to provide our services to children and families through Christmas and into 2022 – thank you.”

Stagecoach celebrated its partnership with Demelza in 2020 with the unveiling of a specially branded bus, which has recently received a repaint and has been serving communities in Canterbury and Herne Bay.

To find out about Demelza’s #FestiveWishes appeal, visit: www.demelza.org.uk/christmas

To make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stagecoach-south-east