During December, Stagecoach North East bus drivers from depots in Newcastle, South Shields, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Teesside swapped their uniforms for festive costumes, bringing a smile to the faces of young and old passengers alike and encouraging them to dig deep for their chosen charities.
This year passengers showed generosity in their thousands, donating £22,750 which was shared between nine charities – Royal British Legion, Tiny Lives, Caring for Kian, Children North East, Great North Air Ambulance Service, Stray Aid, CLIC Sargent, TOMA Fund and St Benedict’s Hospice.
To help boost the collections, staff handed out gifts including sweets and festive novelties, with the bus company contributing to the fundraising total.
62-year-old Walkergate bus driver Dave Kenney, who dressed up as Santa throughout December, says: “All the charities are wonderful causes working so hard in our local community and we are very proud to have helped them in this way.”