Stagecoach South East gives back this Christmas

As the festive season kicks in, Stagecoach South East is bringing some Christmas joy to Kent and East Sussex by raising money for charity.

The bus operator has gone all out to support their local community this December, turning buses into a Winter Wonderland, donating Christmas trees to local hospitals and more.

Supporting Margate’s Christmas Fair, Stagecoach sponsored the Santa’s Grotto at the event for a day of family fun. Working in the local community, Dover depot have been supporting homeless charity Emmaus, by donating 25 £10 one4all gift cards which can be used in several different ways to suit the residents. In East Sussex, Stagecoach is sponsoring More Radio’s toy appeal who work to gift children presents this Christmas.

Across East Kent Hospitals, Stagecoach has donated Christmas trees and decorations to the William Harvey, Kent & Canterbury and QEQM, hoping to spread some Christmas cheer across the hospitals this time of year. The trees received a great response from staff and patients who said that the display helped them get into the Christmas spirit.

Supporting care leavers in the South East, Stagecoach continued their annual support to The Christmas Dinner Folkestone by donating 40 backpacks to attendees.

In Eastbourne, drivers Ozzie Mehmet, Allen Martin and Joanne Dryland have been fundraising to buy a full Christmas Dinner for families struggling in the area this year. In addition to their efforts collecting food, they have also made a donation being made to Doms Food Mission, a charity who help to feed the less fortunate whilst making an impact on food waste. 

Across the whole South East, depots have taken part in Christmas Jumper Day raising money for Save the Children. Staff have also taken to decorating their buses across the region to become Santa buses. Raising money for Demelza, the buses can be found in Ashford, Eastbourne, Hastings, and Thanet.

Putting a smile on the locals faces, Thanet depot has gone all out with their Santa bus this year. With hand rails turned into candy canes, pine-scented baubles and chocolates handed out by a driver dressed as Santa Claus to turn it into a winter wonderland. The bus can be found serving routes across Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. Thanet’s Santa bus, raising money for Demelza’s Festive Wishes, has raised over £765 as of 12^th December.

Another festive bus featured in Canterbury celebrates the return of the Christmas Eve open air carol concert. Making a return for the first time since the pandemic, the rear of the bus features the Lord Mayor herself in full regalia to promote the event.

Joel Mitchell, Managing Director for Stagecoach South East said, “I’m so proud of our team in the South East for all the incredible work they’ve done this Christmas, supporting some incredible charities and initiatives happening across Kent and East Sussex.”