Drivers bed down with bus for a night of fundraising in their sleep

John Banjo, driver and employee director at First Manchester, Oldham

Two drivers at First Manchester will be bedding down for the night with their bus this week (Friday, July 9) to help raise funds to support vulnerable children.

Paul Metcalfe and John Banjo, who are based at the operator’s Oldham depot, have taken up the challenge to find an unusual place to sleep as part of a national night of fundraising by Action For Children with its ‘Boycott Your Bed’ campaign.

The drivers have chosen a remote spot on the moors between Oldham and Huddersfield on a route served by First Manchester’s 184 service.

The bus will be parked up safely on the A62 near Standedge Tunnel.

Already some £600 has been pledged by colleagues and the pair hope donations will keep coming.

Paul said: “Our aim is simply to raise as much as we can and the response from the team has been fantastic.”

He added: “We’re well prepared but hoping for some decent weather, otherwise it could be a long night too!”

Action For Children is parent company First Group’s nominated charity for this year and Paul and John are among other drivers and employees of First Bus around the country who are sleeping out to raise money.

‘Boycott Your Bed’ will be streamed live from a studio on Friday in a packed night of virtual entertainment.

The show is hosted by TOWIE’s Lydia Bright and singer Jake Quickenden.

They will be joined by Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice and Luba Mushtuk, TV presenter Laura Hamilton, Action for Children Ambassador Angela Rippon, DJ Charlotte de Carle and magician Dynamo.

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