THE Stagecoach team in Basingstoke welcomed visitors to its depot in November to help raise funds for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Donations for the charity were generated through a silent model bus auction, visits Santa’s Grotto, trips through the bus wash, a raffle and more - with £777 raised from the day. 

Basingstoke operations manager Kerry Mansfield said: “This was our first depot event and we’re really pleased with the support received from the local community.

“We gave our team the option to choose the charity to donate to and the decision to fund raise for The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was almost unanimous. It’s clearly a charity close to people’s hearts and we’re delighted to have raised this amount for them."

Keith Wilson from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said: “We’re extremely grateful to Stagecoach and to all those who gave so generously while having festive fun at the open day.”

Stagecoach Basingstoke and Andover depots will continue to raise funds for the charity throughout December with their Santa Buses. The specially decorated vehicles can be found driving across the Basingstoke and Andover networks by Santa or his elf, for passengers young and old to enjoy in the run-up to Christmas.

Customers wishing to take a trip on the Santa bus can find where it is daily via the StagecoachSouth Twitter account.