Stagecoach’s exact fare scheme has raised yet more money for good causes after Stagecoach South East reported that £75,000 of cash over-payments have been directed to Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
The charity provides specialist care and support for families and children suffering serious or terminal conditions in Kent, East Sussex and South East London. The charity’s income was impacted by the cancellation of fundraising events and shops during the pandemic, so Stagecoach stepped in to help.
After introducing its exact fares scheme, where customers paying cash would see any overpayments directed to charitable causes, Stagecoach directed additional funds to the hospice. As a result it has received a donation of £75,870.07. That could help fund the salaries of two highly skilled hospice nurses, according to Demelza’s Chief Executive, Lavinia Jarrett.
Stagecoach has now returned to issuing change on its buses, but has said it will continue its partnership with Demelza for another year. The partnership was celebrated in 2020 with a branded bus featuring Delemza’s clown and red dot design.
“We introduced the measure as part of a whole range of responses to the pandemic to help protect our customers and our colleagues,” says Joel Mitchell, Managing Director at Stagecoach South East. “One of the big positives to come out of the past year has been the huge financial support this scheme has provided to Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
“We would like to say a big thank you to all our customers for raising such a fantastic amount for the charity during a time when their fundraising revenue has been severely squeezed.”
Adds Lavinia: “A huge thank you to Stagecoach customers across the South East who have raised over £75,000 for us as a result of the exact fare scheme which ran throughout lockdown restrictions.
“We’re excited to be working with the Stagecoach team again this year – last year’s restrictions meant the team couldn’t undertake planned fundraising initiatives so they have pledged to support us for another year.”
