Go North East’s Gateshead depot open day raises over £3,500 for Ukraine

Two Sundays on from Go North East throwing open the doors at its Gateshead Riverside bus depot for a jubilee-themed community open day, and the total amount raised thanks to the generosity of those who came along has now been confirmed as an amazing £3,696.40.

Many hundreds of people attended the day, which was part of a co-event with the North East Bus Preservation Trust’s Metrocentre Bus Rally, and raised money for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

The day included the North East Soft Play Bus, as well as an ice cream van, tombola, bake sale and, best of all, the tours through the bus wash.

There was also tea cup rides, the opportunity for people to have their name up in lights on the front display of a bus, and merchandise available.

Martijn Gilbert, managing director at Go North East, said: “We were blown away by the amount of people who came along and joined in with the fun for all the family.

“I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who supported the event, especially our hardworking team who helped out during the day in aid of our Ukraine fundraising efforts.

“Opening up one of our depots was also a great way to show all the hard work that goes into running a bus service, especially from the behind the scenes teams that aren’t always seen by those using our services out on the road.”