Stagecoach East Midlands has transformed a bus into a tribute to war heroes ahead of Remembrance Sunday on November 8.
War veterans joined staff from Stagecoach for the unveiling of the visually-striking bus outside Lincoln Cathedral. Running on the Lincoln network, the vehicle’s livery aims to remind the public to honour service men and women whilst supporting the Royal British Legion in its annual fundraising campaign.
Poppies and wooden crosses appear along the sides of the bus, which also include memorial messages and a ‘Remembering Our Heroes’ headline.
As part of Stagecoach East Midland’s support, the company is also raising money for the Royal British Legion through a ‘Remembering your hero’ Twitter campaign. For up to 500 people, the company will donate £1 each time someone follows and Tweets @STagecoachEMid about a hero in their life.
Louise Wright, Marketing Manager for Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “We wanted to help with this year’s fundraising by the Royal British Legion and creating a commemorative bus seemed like a great way of doing that.
“It’s designed to be eye-catching to help people remember our fallen servicemen and donate themselves, and link with us on Twitter and raise money that way too.”
Stagecoach’s Commercial Manager South, Andy Smith, said: “It’s a true shame that in today’s society, service men and women all over the world are still giving up their lives to help others.
“This bus and time of year is a reminder to us all that we should not, and will not, forget those brave people who have done just that and unfortunately, will also continue doing that.”
Major Alex Carson, of the Royal British Legion, said: “I am delighted that Stagecoach East Midlands has taken this initiative to raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. The poppy bus reminds everyone to wear their poppy with pride, to the memory of the fallen and the future of the living.”
