Alder Hey

Member Article

Stagecoach raises £1,500 for Teenage Cancer Trust

Bus drivers at Stagecoach’s Gillmoss depot have joined forces to support the Teenage Cancer Trust funded facility within the Oncology Unit at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Drivers from across Merseyside have donated part of their salary raising £750 in the process. The donation was match-funded by the management team at Stagecoach ensuring a total of £1,500 was handed over to the charity.

Billy McIntyre, from Childwall and a Stagecoach driver of over eight years, was at the hospital on behalf of the bus operator to meet some of the team from Teenage Cancer Trust and see the facilities first hand. Billy’s wife, Mary, has worked at the hospital as a ward clerk for the last four years and has helped hundreds of patients throughout her time.

He said: “I’ve been bowled over by the outstanding work that goes on here. I know first-hand that what these doctors and nurses do on a daily basis is nothing short of incredible. This is our way of saying thank you to everything that you do.

“My wife has told me all about the outstanding work that goes on here so I am thrilled that this money will be going towards such a worthwhile cause. I think everyone knows someone that has been affected by cancer so it is only right that we give back in whatever way we can.”

The Teenage Cancer Trust facilities at Alder Hey support 13-19 year olds who are undergoing treatment for various types of cancer, and learned more about the range of support that is provided within this state of the art unit.

Originally opened in 2003 at the old Alder Hey Children’s Hospital site, Teenage Cancer Trust provided £270k to help enhance a dedicated teenage and young adult facility within the new hospital’s oncology unit in 2015. There are 4 en-suite in-patient bedrooms and a day care bay with a further two beds. The rooms are bright and colourful and contain TV, laptop, games consoles and free wi-fi. There is also a social space with home cinema system, pool table, jukebox and breakfast bar.

Teenage Cancer Trust worked with patients on the design, making it feel more like a home from home than a hospital ward, and a space where young people can get together to support each other through treatment.

Vanessa Simmons, head of West and Wales at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We are delighted that staff from Stagecoach have chosen to support Teenage Cancer Trust by donating £1500. Every penny will help us to support teenagers and young adults facing a diagnosis of cancer.

“We have come so far in our mission to help young people suffering from this devastating disease. There is, however, still much more to do and for every young person we help, there is another we can’t, which is why we are so very grateful to have their support.”

Rob Jones, managing director at Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire, said: “This is a fantastic gesture by our drivers and one that we were more than happy to match.

“I am delighted to see our drivers taking such an interest in supporting the local community. It’s something that we encourage all of our drivers to do.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Henry Roberts .

Our Partners