Go North East team members create COVID-19 theatrical production and raise money for University Hospital of North Durham’s children’s ward

Team members at Go North East’s depot in Consett have created a theatrical production explaining life on the buses during lockdown and have also raised money for the Treetops Children’s Ward at University Hospital of North Durham.

The uplifting video, which can be viewed below, shows Go North East colleagues dancing to Madness song ‘House of Fun’ and Queen hit ‘I Want to Break Free’, but also comes with an important underlying message of asking people to stay at home to protect the NHS and other key workers.

Andy Cameron, a bus driver at the company’s Consett depot, addresses this in the video saying: “Things may seem really strange to people at the minute, things might not be normal, but the message we’re trying to get across is that we need to get through this together.

“We all want to break free, but we just can’t – we need to stay home and stay safe. It needs to be done and that’s how we’re going to fight this battle together. You need to help protect us – we’re here for the key workers and essential shoppers, but the only way we’re safe is if you help us. Thank you.”

Towards the end of the video colleagues can also be seen having their heads shaved for charity, raising over £1,500 for the Treetops Children’s Ward at University Hospital of North Durham.

Colleagues having their heads shaved included operations manager Malcolm Davis, bus drivers Julie Ede and Steven Woodhead, leading driver Marco Montanarini and union chairperson Lynn Doolan.

Martijn Gilbert, managing director at Go North East, commented: “I’m incredibly proud of everything team members across the company are doing right now to not only keep essential services running, but to also support charitable causes during this crisis.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved at our depot in Consett for their hard work and being able to get across this serious message in a fun and entertaining way.

“I’m also blown away by the kind-heartedness of colleagues across the company and beyond in donating money to various great causes.”

If you would like to join Go North East team members in raising money for the children’s ward, you can do so by visiting the company’s GoFundMe page.