Bus drivers to stage charity event

Organised by bus driver Dave Smethurst and his partner Larissa Cass from Brigg the toe-tapping event is being held on Saturday August 5 at Brumby Hall, Scunthorpe.

Money raised will be donated to the Health Tree Foundation’s maternity bereavement suite appeal at Scunthorpe General hospital.

Dave and Larissa know all too well the heartbreak of losing a child, after sadly losing their baby girl Bonnie-Rae in 2015. They said: “It is important for the community to get behind the appeal and help to support it in any way they can.

“Unfortunately we were unable to have this facility when Bonnie-Rae was born, but know if we were able to all stay together in a private suite with our families around us we wouldn’t have felt so alone.

“Nothing will ever take away the pain of losing a child but we wanted to help raise funds to help other parents in that situation, so they can have a safe haven in which they can stay together as a family.

“Everybody loves karaoke and a dance so we thought what better way than to incorporate into one fundraising event.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased from Dave and Larissa at Davesmeg1@icloud.com  They are priced £10 for adults and £3 for children and includes a pie and pea supper.

Dave added: “We are also holding a bus driver charity football match between Hornsbys Travel and Stagecoach on Sunday July 30 at Brumby Hall. Kick-off is 11am.”

The HTF appeal aims to raise £150,000 to create the new facility on the central delivery suite to help bereaved families at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

HTF community champion Hayley Thompson said: “It breaks my heart every time I meet families who have unfortunately lost their beautiful babies. The passion and determination of the bereaved parents who are helping the HTF fundraising efforts is phenomenal. They are truly inspirational people.

“Unfortunately most of us know somebody who has sadly been affected by the death of a baby. We need as much help as we can from the community to help create the suite.”

If you would like more information about the appeal or would like to help, please call HTF community champion Hayley Thompson on: 03033 305672 or email: hayley.thompson3@nhs.net