Stagecoach South West sponsors free, fun events for children in Torbay

For the fourth year running Stagecoach South West is sponsoring Sci-Fi day at Children’s Week, the long running, free week of events for young people in Torbay.

2017 marks the 71st anniversary of Children’s Week with Sci-Fi Day the culmination of the week, drawing thousands of visitors each year. This year, it will be bigger and better than ever before; packed with a fantastic range of memorabilia including cars and costumes from many popular films.

A Golden Hop open top will be parked on Paignton Green for the day alongside a range of iconic movie vehicles, including the 1996 Batmobile, Herbie and Disney’s Lightning McQueen. Film fans can also meet Spiderman, Robocop, Darth Vader, Batman, Minions and Jack Sparrow.

Stagecoach will have some great freebies to handout on the day including copies of the Golden Hop Adventurers Passport and exclusive Bus Hopper ‘fuzzy bugs’: Gary Rabbit, Cango Kangaroo, Freddie Frog, Porter Penguin, Chirpy Cricket and Swash Buckle Parrot.On the same day, Stagecoach is also launching a series of Bus Hopper children’s books.

These will cost just £3 each and will be available exclusively from Stagecoach’s Paignton Bus Station Travelshop. A percentage from each sale will go to local charity, Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN), who provide free holidays for families who have seriously ill children, families who are bereaved (loss of child or parent) and families who have a terminally ill parent.

Brian Lewis, THHN Fundraising Manager, commented: “We are delighted at the continued support that Stagecoach shows THHN, to be chosen to be the charity that benefits from the sale of the fantastic Bus Hopper Children's books is amazing, the money raised will mean we can help more families, by giving them a memory making holiday and they will also love the Children's books that Stagecoach are donating to the charity. A big thank you to all at Stagecoach.”

Helen Scholes, Marketing Manager at Stagecoach South West, said “I’m delighted to continue our sponsorship of Sci-Fi Saturday and to see its popularity increase every year. This year looks like it’s going to be bigger and better than ever!

“I’m also very proud we can help support another local children’s charity, THHN. I’ve known Luke since he first started THHN and it’s truly inspirational what he has achieved in a few short years. As well as donating a percentage of the book sales to THHN, we will also be providing copies of the books for Luke and his team to give to children on their holidays.”

The Hop 122 service includes six ‘Golden Hop’ open top buses connecting St Marychurch, Torquay, Paignton and Paignton Zoo up to every 20 minutes, 7 days a week, visiting family attractions across the Bay.

Each bus has a distinctive livery featuring a ‘Bus Hopper’ animal character named by local school children. A Group Explorer costs just £16 and gives up to five people a day of unlimited travel on all Stagecoach South West buses, including the Golden Hops*.

Visit the Stagecoach website (www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/hop-up-top-with-the-bus-hoppers) to find out more about the Golden Hop service.

Sci-Fi Day is just one event amongst a week of activities at Children’s Week. Other highlights, include Arts and Crafts, the Children’s Week Quiz, Gerry Cottle’s WoW Circus and Anderton and Rowlands Fun Fair. Further details of Children’s Week are available on their website: http://childrensweek.co.uk.

Torbay Holiday Helpers Network started in 2009 and has grown into a community of individuals and businesses who donate their time and services to make a difference to families who have seriously ill children, families who are bereaved (loss of child or parent) and families who have a terminally ill parent. For further information on what they do and how to support them visit www.thhn.co.uk.

*Not valid on Falcon between Taunton and Bristol.