Stagecoach Drivers raise nearly £3000 for Hampshire Hospice

Bus firm Stagecoach’s Winchester depot has donated nearly £3000 to Countess Mountbatten Hospice, near Southampton, following the success of its Christmas themed bus last month.

The ‘Santa Bus’ was kitted out with decorations and lighting, playing popular festive hits for its passengers as it travelled across the region. Bus drivers based at the company's Winchester depot swapped their uniforms for festive outfits, raising around £1,400.

Just two months earlier, a team of five bus drivers tackled Mount Snowdon also raising money for the hospice.

Stagecoach Operations Manager for Winchester, Pete Robinson, said: “We are always happy to support our drivers in their fundraising efforts and would like to commend them again on their dedication to such a great cause".

“We were also delighted with the response from all of our customers who contributed so generously to the fundraising initiative."

Nigel Hartley, CEO of Mountbatten said, "We are hugely grateful to the team at Stagecoach South for all their fundraising efforts. We are touched by their enthusiasm to support us, having had personal experience of the care we provide at Countess Mountbatten. As we are now an independently-run hospice, this level of support is vital as we look to help more people in the communities we serve. Thank you Stagecoach South."

Stagecoach has also donated a further £250 to the hospice, taking the total donated to over £3000.

Nicola O'Rourke, Fundraising Administrator at Countess Mountbatten Hospice receiving the cheque from Pete Robinson, Operations Manager for Winchester, supported by members of the local Stagecoach team , left to right, Trevor Kimber, Dan Harwood, Gareth Corps and Barry Coom.