Bus companies park the bus for charity football match

Two local bus companies will be parking their busses and lacing up their boots to take part in a charity football match.

Hornsby Travel and Stagecoach of Scunthorpe will go head-to-head in the match at Brumby Hall Sports Ground on July 30 to help raise funds for the town’s hospital maternity bereavement suite appeal.

After hearing about the appeal from her boss, Larissa Cass and her partner Dave Smethurst, an employee of Hornsby Travel, decided they wanted to get involved with the appeal especially after losing their own baby girl, Bonnie-Rae in 2015, who was sadly born sleeping.

The appeal, which has been launched by the hospital’s official charity the Health Tree Foundation, needs to raise £150,000 to create a suite for parents to spend time together with their babies after they have passed away. The suite will provide a safe haven for families to stay together at a tragic time.

Fundraiser Dave Smethurst said: “After hearing about the appeal through Larissa’s boss, we wanted to help make a difference.

“Nothing will ever take away the pain of losing a child but if there had been a maternity bereavement suite back in 2015 it would have helped us, as we wanted somewhere where our family could help us come to terms with the loss of Bonnie-Rae in private.”

As well as the football match there will be face painting, a bouncy castle and an ice cream van.

HTF community champion Hayley Thompson said: “We are grateful to have two wonderful local companies helping to support our appeal. Dave and Larissa are a truly inspirational couple and I hope that the local community go along on the day and support the teams."

If you would like any more information about the appeal please contact HTF community champion Hayley Thompson: 03033 305672 or email: Hayley.thompson3@nhs.net