Operator provides bus service for 11th year in a row, with volunteer drivers
Thamesdown Transport has provided a free bus service for a local charity’s Christmas remembrance event, Light Up a Life.
This was the 11th year that Thamesdown has donated the use of buses for the evening event from charity Prospect Hospice and drivers volunteered their time to provide the service.
Thamesdown drivers Ray Funnell, Chris Hancock and Morag Macaskill were driving the buses. Engineer Gary Millin, who has been involved with the volunteer driving since the event started, will also be ensuring that the vehicles are ready and available.
Ray, Chris and Gary all have had family members cared for by Prospect Hospice and all four see it as a way to give back to a good cause.
Peter Oliver, Commercial Director of Thamesdown, said: “Prospect Hospice is a cause we support here at Thamesdown throughout the year, both through fundraising and donating our services for their events.
“Buses are an essential part of the community and we support other good community causes as much as we can.
“The vast majority of Thamesdown staff have been touched in one way or another by the work and care that Prospect Hospice provides. Donating our time and resource for their events is just one way we like to say thank you to them for everything they do for the people or Swindon and the wider area.”
Ray Funnell, who has been a driver for Thamesdown for 15 years, said: “I’ve been driving the Summer Fete and Light Up a Life buses for Prospect Hospice for nine years now. Prospect nurses looked after my brother at home in 2006 before he died.
“I like to give up my time to do this to give something back to Prospect as a way of thanks – as well as playing the lottery every week and donating to the shops too.”
