Santa Bus Delivers Festive Magic and Raises Thousands for Bereaved Children

The annual Santa Bus has once again spread Christmas cheer while raising vital funds for Jeremiah’s Journey in Plymouth and Penhaligon’s Friends in Cornwall, two charities dedicated to supporting bereaved children and their families.

Running from late November until 21st December, the festive bus, operated entirely by volunteers, made its way through the streets of Plymouth and Cornwall, bringing joy to local communities and helping to fund essential support services.

Over £2,000 Raised in Cornwall

This year’s event saw an outpouring of generosity from the public, with £1,827.45 raised in Cornwall and £762.20 in Plymouth. An additional £189.36 was added to each total from a charity pot, bringing the final donation amounts to £2,016.81 for Cornwall and £951.56 for Plymouth.

“We’re so grateful to everyone who supported the Santa Bus and donated to these two fantastic causes,” said Jess Bolt, Marketing Manager for Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of the local communities and the dedication of our amazing volunteers, we’ve been able to make a real difference for children and families who need support.”

Supporting Bereaved Children Across Plymouth and Cornwall

The money raised will help Jeremiah’s Journey and Penhaligon’s Friends continue their work supporting children dealing with the loss of a loved one.

John Naismith, Supporter Engagement Manager from Jeremiah’s Journey, said:

“We are so grateful to CityBus for selecting Jeremiah’s Journey as one of their supported charities for the 2024 Santa Bus tour. Not only did the tour bring such joy to children, young people and families, it has helped support grieving children, young people and families across Plymouth and the immediate surrounding areas. Thank you so much to CityBus and everyone that donated.”

Julie Parker, CEO of Penhaligon’s Friends, added:

“We are so grateful to have been included in this year’s Santa Bus, and to all the volunteers who made this possible. Events like this really help to raise our profile, enabling more of our community to be aware of our support. The money raised will enable us to fund books and resources to support the bereaved children and young people we support over the next year. A huge thank you to everyone involved!”

A Christmas Tradition That Keeps Growing

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the Santa Bus has become a much-anticipated part of the festive season for many in Cornwall and Plymouth. With growing community support and a team of dedicated volunteers, organisers are already looking forward to bringing it back later this year.