A wrapped tartan Lothian bus marks the start of a partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, that aims to raise funds to help local people and their families.
The bus, in Macmillan’s special Kinloch Anderson tartan, was piped out of Lothian’s Marine Garage by driver Paul Starr.
It displays key information and statistics to help raise awareness around Edinburgh.
Staff from across the business will also show support for the charity through various fundraising events, beginning with Doors Open Day and the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, both in September.
All Lothian drivers will also have the opportunity to wear a Macmillan branded pin badge and drivers of this bus will have the option of wearing a tie woven in the Macmillan tartan when behind the wheel.
Macmillan is Lothian’s first official ‘Charity of Choice’ partner, a new initiative that will see the company working with its third sector partner to build a strong relationship. In the last five years Lothian has raised or given donations-in-kind to the value of over £1,000,000 to local charities in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Macmillan was one of several organisations shortlisted by the company’s Charity of Choice committee, with the final decision coming after a staff vote.
Lothian Communications Director Gaynor Marshall says: “Cancer affects 1-in-91 people in our operating area and is a disease that touches someone close to us all.
“We are hoping by working with Macmillan we will help more people get the support they need through difficult times.
“With more than 2,000 staff across the city region we feel very much part of the local community, so our charity partnerships are a great way for us to express that as a company.”
Jan Forrest, Macmillan’s Head of Regional Fundraising – Scotland and Northern Ireland, added: “We are delighted to be working with Lothian over the next two years.
“At Macmillan, we know how cancer can affect everything. We’re here to help people live life, no matter what, but we can't do it without the amazing people who fundraise for us.
“The money raised will go towards some of our services helping people affected by cancer in Edinburgh at the time they need us most. This includes information and support centres in Edinburgh libraries and the Western General Hospital, benefits advice services and Move More Edinburgh – a programme to help people get active after a cancer diagnosis.”
