5-year-old Frazer’s dreams come true

When Frazer Wilton’s auntie contacted Stagecoach South West regarding her “bus obsessed” 5 year old nephew, the staff at Frazer’s local depot in Torquay decided to arrange a big surprise for a very special little boy.

Frazer - who was diagnosed with Late Infantile Battens disease, a genetic life-limiting neurodegenerative disease, in February 2018 - has always shown a love for buses since an early age.

Bethany Essam Wood, Frazer’s auntie, contacted Stagecoach after one of Frazer’s appointments at Torbay Hospital. When Frazer and his mum Amy saw the number 32 bus waiting at the bus stop, he immediately got excited and asked if he could sit with the driver while the bus was stationary.

Frazer has always shown a big interest in buses and when he first learnt to talk he would look for buses and shout ‘BUSSSS’ over and over again. 

When Stagecoach received the message from Bethany they decided to give Frazer and his family a day to remember. Bethany, Frazer, his mum Amy and brother Alfie (aged 8) were invited to Paignton bus station where Stagecoach had arranged for one of the Golden Hop animal character open top buses to be at Frazer’s disposal for the day.

The destination board had been changed to read ‘Frazer’s bus’ and Frazer was invited on-board to receive a bag of Paw Patrol goodies, a firm favourite with the 5 year old. He was also able to meet Hop mascot, Gary the Rabbit and sit in the driver’s seat.

He was then whisked off with his family on his own personal bus tour of Torbay. Driven by Gary Partridge, Frazer was taken to Dinosaur World in Torquay for a fun filled visit, courtesy of Director David Hill. The family was then collected and treated to a guided tour of the bus depot.

Bethany said: “I really wasn’t expecting this. I simply got in touch with Stagecoach to see if they would allow Frazer to have a look around a bus depot. Frazer has always loved buses and Stagecoach went above and beyond for all of us. We were amazed at the amount of effort that was put in for Frazer. The balloon, costumes, toys and teddies were just incredible. Frazer had the most amazing and memorable day, as did Alfie his older brother.

“We have been able to make more unique memories with Frazer and the depot team couldn’t have done more for us, they were just so helpful and welcoming and I am truly grateful to them all.”

Wendy Slater, Assistant Operations Manager at the depot, added “We have all had so much fun making Frazer’s day as special as we can. I’d like to say a huge thanks to all of our staff who helped out and I’m absolutely delighted that Frazer has such a magical time.”

Frazer’s family has set up a Just Giving page to raise funds for specialist treatment for his condition which can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/frazers-journey