Memorial bus for much-missed colleague now features cancer information in more than ten languages.

Stagecoach London has raised over £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support since 2018.

To mark a major fundraising milestone, London bus operator Stagecoach is promoting cancer support to their customers in over ten languages.

Their one-of-a-kind ‘Macmillan’ double decker, which has been serving East London since 2018, was inspired by the loss of much-valued Stagecoach colleague Martyn Henderson, who died from cancer in July 2017.

The working bus, which is dedicated to Martyn and is branded in Macmillan’s famous green, operates route 86 between Stratford and Romford, where Martyn was based.

In honour of Martyn, Stagecoach London has been fundraising for Macmillan since 2018 and hit their fundraising target of £100,000 in August this year. Martyn was a passionate supporter of Macmillan, as a result of the support and care he received from the charity.

To mark this huge achievement, and in recognition of serving some the capital’s most diverse communities, Stagecoach London has upgraded Martyn’s bus to showcase the support available from Macmillan, in multiple languages. On-board dual-language adverts now promote Macmillan’s support resources in Bengali, Mandarin, Ukrainian and many more besides.

Paul Lynch, Stagecoach London Managing Director, said: “I’m extremely proud of our people and the efforts they’ve all put into fundraising for Macmillan over the last five years. To reach our £100,000 target five months early was a fantastic achievement – it’s a reflection of how hard everyone has worked and how generous our people have been. As we have events planned for next year too, I’m pleased to announce that we will be extending our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support until the end of 2024.”

Paul Lyons, Macmillan Relationship Fundraising Manager said: “Stagecoach London employees know no bounds when getting stuck into fundraising and giving back to Macmillan. From football and golf tournaments to marathons and Macmillan Coffee Mornings, Stagecoach London has raised a massive £102,000.

“And it’s not just vital funds that Stagecoach has delivered! They transformed one of their classic London red buses into a ‘Macmillan’ bus; wrapped in our charity’s iconic green branding and displaying information on how to access cancer support from Macmillan.
Inside the bus, there are now dual language adverts so that all the communities Stagecoach serves know that Macmillan is here for everyone with cancer!

“Thank-you Stagecoach for doing whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.”

Cancer information in over 200 languages can be accessed via the Macmillan website: macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/in-your-language
Macmillan also offers a free interpreter service via their Support Line: 0808 808 0000.