Tuesday 25th January marked the day that 40 years ago the hospice welcomed its first patients, and a bus decked out in St Luke’s branding to highlight the much-loved charity reaching such a special milestone was unveiled on Plymouth Hoe, next to the landmark Smeaton’s Tower.
Featuring some of the friendly faces of St Luke’s team, and the message of the hospice providing compassionate care for the community for 40 years, the bus will cover routes across the city throughout the year.
Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus said: “Many of our team members and customers have been touched by St Luke’s in one way or another. Branding the bus for the charity is our way of saying thank you for superb care given and helping to make sure the whole city is aware of the brilliant work St Luke’s has done over the past 40 years.”
From its humble beginnings at Syrena House in Plymstock to the multidisciplinary service it provides today, looking after terminally ill people at home, in hospital and at Turnchapel, St Luke’s cares for up to 300 patients at any given time and supports their families, too. It does this at no cost to those it helps, thanks to local individuals and organisations who fundraise, donate and volunteer to help keep the charity’s service going.
Support from local businesses is critical to ensuring St Luke’s resilience so it can reach more people who desperately need specialist care at the end of their lives.
Steve Statham, Chief Executive of St Luke’s, said: “A big thank-you to Plymouth Citybus. Our eye-catching branded bus will raise more awareness of St Luke’s specialist service and the support from our community that makes it possible. The more local businesses who get behind our charity, the more families we can help over the next 40 years and beyond.”
