Santa will be driving the fundraising efforts to help a Sittingbourne children’s hospice this month - literally.

The man in the red and white suit will be behind the wheel of festive-themed Stagecoach buses, driving across Kent from today (Wednesday).

He’ll be swapping his sleigh for four wheels in a bid to earn money for Demelza Hospice Care for Children’s #FestiveWishes campaign.

The charity, based in Bobbing near Sittingbourne, provides specialist services to more than 750 young people with serious or terminal conditions and their families throughout Kent, south London and East Sussex.

Unfortunately, this may be some children’s last Christmas.

Passengers boarding the handful of special buses will be encouraged to take a free bauble and make a donation to the charity, which is almost entirely dependent on funding from the public. People can also share pictures of their experience with Santa and the festive buses on Twitter, tagging @StagecoachSE and using the hashtag #FestiveWishes.

Petra Bones, senior corporate partnerships manager at Demelza, said: “We are looking forward to spotting Father Christmas driving the buses and are very grateful to Stagecoach and their customers for their generosity.

“Some 88% of our funding comes from our supporters and now more than ever, it is vital we can continue to provide our services to children and families through Christmas and into 2022 – thank you.”

Stagecoach celebrated its partnership with Demelza in 2020 with the unveiling of a specially branded bus, which has recently received a repaint and has been serving communities in Canterbury and Herne Bay.

To find out about Demelza’s #FestiveWishes appeal, click here.