SANTA BUS DRIVERS’ CASH PRESENT:
£2,500 RAISED FOR DOG CHARITY STRAY AID AND ST BENEDICT’S HOSPICE
Sunderland bus drivers who dressed up as Santa over the Christmas period have continued to spread festive cheer after donating £2,500 to two worthy charities following an annual fundraising campaign.
During December, bus drivers from Stagecoach North East swapped their uniforms for festive costumes in a bid to raise funds for dog charity Stray Aid and St Benedict’s Hospice.
To help boost the collection, staff handed out gifts including sweets and festive novelties.
Thanks to the generosity of passengers, £2,273 was collected on board throughout the month, with the bus company also contributing to the fundraising total.
Bus driver Oz McCormack said: “Stray Aid and St Benedict’s Hospice are both great causes working so hard in our local community and we are very proud to have helped them in this way.
“We would like to thank our passengers for supporting us and giving as generously as they did on their travels and hope we made their journey a little more fun and festive.”
Joining Oz were bus drivers Michael Heskett, John Burke, Kara Langley, Ian Alderson, Graeme Barnes, Rob Dixon, Nathan Pennock, Kevin Chisholm and Chris Marner.
Laura Smith, operations manager for the Sunderland depot, said: “I’m really proud of our staff for going above and beyond and getting into the Christmas spirit by dressing up as Santa, all in the name of charity.
“They’ve raised a great amount, which will help to further boost the fantastic support provided by Stray Aid and St Benedict’s Hospice.”