Stagecoach supports 'Happy Days' respite zoo trip for children and young adults

Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, has supported a trip to the zoo for local Peterborough children and young people, in partnership with Happy Days Children's Charity.  

Happy Days is a UK based charity which helps local communities across the UK to provide vital respite breaks for individuals, families and groups who support children with a wide range of additional needs. 

The team from Stagecoach East facilitated the day and volunteered their time to transport a total of 37 young people, and 20 carers, from Orton Goldhay and Orton Malborne to Hamerton Zoo Park. 

Hayden Mustafa, Operations Manager of Stagecoach in Peterborough, drove the bus, along with ‘co-pilot’ Assistant Operations Manager Jay Soer. 

Hayden said: “It was a wonderful day, full of laughter and fun. We are so proud to have had the opportunity to work with Happy Days to make this a reality. 

“Like any bus journey, there is a lot of planning and work that needs to happen behind the scenes to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and our passengers get the kind of service they should expect, but when you see such happiness and so many smiles, it makes everything very worthwhile.” 

As part of a recent pledge to support the communities served by Stagecoach, the operator announced Happy Days Children's charity amongst four national charities to be supported by its Giving for Good initiative. This initiative supports ongoing commitments of Stagecoach to donate 0.5% of profits each year to charitable causes.   

Harriet Hughes-Payne, Stagecoach Charity Committee Chair, said; “Our Giving for Good committee was created to support our local communities, so getting the opportunity to facilitate trips such as this in Peterborough is a delight for us here at Stagecoach. 

"Our team from Stagecoach East did a fantastic job and we look forward to future collaborations with Happy Days Children's Charity.”