Stagecoach supports Breast Cancer Awareness month with the launch of two special buses

Stagecoach is gearing up to support Breast Cancer Awareness month with the launch of two exciting initiatives to help get the message out to the public about the benefits of regular breast checks and examinations.

Stagecoach, the UK’s biggest bus and coach operator, has donated a bus and driver to support Lorraine Kelly’s ground-breaking Change + Check breast cancer awareness campaign. Lorraine’s Boob Bus will be waved off by Lorraine in London today (1 October) and the bright pink bus will then travel to Manchester on 3 October, Belfast on 8 October, Glasgow on 10 October and Cardiff on 14 October before returning to London on 17 October, with six live shows from the bus.

Driven by Stagecoach driver, Kevan Docherty from Cumbernauld depot in West Scotland, the Boob Bus will have trained breast cancer nurses to talk to the public about how to monitor their own breasts. Lorraine’s very own Dr Hilary will be on board as the bus reaches Belfast, Glasgow and Cardiff. Helen Addis, the producer of the Lorraine programme and the brainchild behind the Change + Check Campaign, will also be on the bus to spread the message far and wide, and the charity Prevent Breast Cancer will join for the Manchester leg along with Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor.

In Greater Manchester, Stagecoach, in partnership with Alexander Dennis, has also this week helped to launch a special liveried double decker pink BooBee bus with Prevent Breast Cancer. The bus will be visiting public areas where there is a high female footfall as well as large companies and organisations. On board the bus will be Prevent Breast Cancer’s “BooBees” who will be distributing “Bee Aware” information and encouraging women to come on board to find out more about breast health.

The two Stagecoach buses will appear together in Great Northern Square on Thursday 3 October, and will be supported by a team of Stagecoach bus drivers.

Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive of Stagecoach Group said: “We know that many of our own customers and employees have been affected by breast cancer and we wanted to get behind this important campaign.

“We’re very pleased to be working with Lorraine, ITV and the Prevent Breast Cancer charity and are looking forward to getting our two pink buses out on the road during October to help get the message out to the public about the benefits of regular breast checks and examinations.”

Lorraine Kelly said: "I'm delighted Stagecoach and Prevent Breast Cancer have joined us to help spread the Change + Check message. It's been such an important campaign and the 'Boob Bus' will hopefully get people talking about their health and about how to spot the signs of breast cancer."

Kevan Doherty, the Stagecoach driver who will be driving Lorraine’s Boob Bus around the country, added: “I’m delighted to be involved in this and doing my bit for such a great campaign. Having had a friend who has been affected by this particular cancer makes it even more personal for me. Thankfully she came through it but with it being so close to home, it makes me feel privileged to be involved.

“I’m looking forward to getting out on the road and getting the chance to meet lots of new people as we travel from city to city.”

Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “Despite breast cancer being such a prevalent disease, there is still a lack of awareness in what to look out for, and how to reduce your personal risk of developing it. The hope is that both buses – our very own BreastFest BooBee Bus and Lorraine’s Change + Check Boob Bus – will help educate people on relevant risk factors, particularly those relating to lifestyle and diet, that we can control.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with 1 in 9 women and 1 in 1,000 men developing the disease in their lifetime, and it is the biggest cause of death in women aged 35 to 49. As the only UK charity dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer, Prevent Breast Cancer is passionate about creating a future free from breast cancer.

“We’re extremely thankful for all those that have helped our buses take flight, from Lorraine and her team, to Stagecoach and Alexander Dennis Limited – including their amazing drivers, who’ll be navigating the nations streets.”

ENDS