A community open day at the Gillingham depot of National Express Transport Solutions-owned The Kings Ferry has enabled the company to donate £600 to Help for Heroes.
More than 100 people took the opportunity to join in the events at the company’s depot. The day was designed to raise awareness, recruit drivers and fundraise for the Armed Forces charity. A raffle offered restaurant vouchers, plus family tickets to Howletts wildlife park, Chatham Historic Dockyard, and a match at Gillingham FC. Visitors also had the chance to experience a VIP coach trip around the local area, have their name displayed on the coach’s destination board, sit in the driver’s seat, and help name the company’s ‘safety bear,’ who is now called Ted.
A total of £535 was raised on the day for the charity, and National Express Transport Solutions rounded up the donation to £600. So far this year, the company has raised £1,600 for Help for Heroes and fundraising will continue throughout the year.
Ian Fraser, the South-East Managing Director at National Express Transport Solutions, said: “The Kings Ferry held its first open day in recent years and it was a great success. As well as some amazing, donated prizes, from local companies showing their support, it was fantastic to have our nominated charity attend too: thank you Help for Heroes.
“We had a great attendance from the local community, as well as staff with their families; we even managed to recruit some drivers to join the team. This was the first open day we have delivered since the formation of National Express Transport Solutions and the first public fundraiser for Help for Heroes.”
Rébecca Santoni, Help for Heroes’ Corporate Partnerships Manager, added: “We are so thrilled that National Express Transport Solutions has chosen us as its charity of the year, and this marked the beginning of a series of exciting fundraising events.
“The team’s commitment, in preparation and during the day, was incredible and only shows their willingness to support the veteran community. Their enthusiasm and motivation to support the charity is one of those things that makes us proud of our job as a charity worker. Thank you to them all.”
