Stagecoach South Staff Create Short Film to Fundraise for Naomi House and Cancer Research UK

Thomas and Frances, two dedicated Stagecoach employees, have taken a creative approach to fundraising with the release of their charity video, “On Our Bus”. The short film, which features staff from the Portsmouth depot, including appearances by Marc Reddy, Managing Director for Stagecoach South and Carol Sim, Operations Director for Stagecoach South, was sold internally to employees, raising £450 for two important causes: Naomi House, a hospice that provides critical nursing care for children, and Cancer Research UK.

The video was a passion project for Thomas, who began creating charity videos at the start of 2023. He was inspired to bring the idea to life after hearing a suggestion from a colleague. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Thomas shared, reflecting on the joy of combining creativity with a good cause.

Both Thomas and Frances have been with Stagecoach since January 2023, and in less than a year, they’ve become an integral part of the company's community efforts. The organisation has been incredibly supportive of their initiatives, allowing them to balance their charitable work with their professional responsibilities. Thomas expressed his gratitude for the way Stagecoach fosters a healthy work-life balance, with managers, drivers, and controllers all pitching in to help with their personal commitments.

The video “On Our Bus” wasn’t the pair's first foray into charity work. Since joining Stagecoach, Thomas and Frances have been heavily involved in fundraising efforts, including the popular Stagecoach South Santa Bus. Thomas embraced the role of Santa Claus, while Frances dressed as an elf, spreading Christmas cheer to passengers and bringing smiles to all who boarded the bus. The couple's festive spirit didn’t stop there—they also volunteer at the Leigh Park Santa Grotto, where they help distribute presents and spread holiday joy to local children. In fact, Thomas went so far as to build a model train set from scratch for the grotto, adding an extra touch of magic to the experience.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person events were restricted, Thomas and Frances found a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive. They organised home visits with social distancing measures in place, ensuring that children could still see Santa. To maximise their reach, they enlisted the help of four other Santa's to cover different areas, bringing the grotto experience to as many families as possible.

Their charitable efforts don’t stop at holiday-themed activities. They also created a selfie Facebook page where families could share their pictures with Santa. The page became a hit after Thomas jokingly asked riders on the Santa Bus if they wanted to take a selfie with Santa—nearly everyone raised their hands, creating a joyful moment that captured the spirit of the season.

Currently, Thomas and Frances are working on a new project, The Search for Santa, which aims to raise funds for the Leigh Park Santa Grotto. Last year, the grotto saw over 1,800 participants, nearly exhausting their supply of sweets and presents. This year, Stagecoach will be hosting the opening day at the grotto, on 23^rd November at 13:00. The funds raised through this year’s video will go towards ensuring that the grotto can continue providing an unforgettable experience for local children. In the video, Santa has gone missing, and a cast of characters embarks on a quest to find him and save Christmas.

Thomas and Frances’ dedication to both their community and charitable causes has made a significant impact. Their creativity, combined with the support of Stagecoach South, has turned their passion projects into meaningful contributions that bring joy to children and families while supporting important charities.