St Michael’s Hospice 21^st Anniversary campaign, ‘The Key to the Door’, is well and truly in motion with the launch of a promotional bus that will be hard to miss as it travels Hastings’ busy Route 26. Bus operator, Stagecoach and sponsors, Astec Computing and Hastings Round Table, have enabled the Hospice to promote its Key to the Door campaign in support of an anniversary appeal to raise funds towards a £4.3m project to improve patient care and secure its buildings for the future.  

St Michael’s Hospice 21^st Appeal Campaign Manager, Charlotte Clifford, said: “The bus is literally a fantastic vehicle for raising the profile of The Key to the Door Campaign as it will catch the attention of thousands of people. “We’re incredibly grateful to Stagecoach, Astec Computing and Hastings Round Table for making it possible for us to benefit from such an exciting and effective opportunity.” 

Operations Manager for Stagecoach in Hastings, Paul Harding, is delighted to be able to help raise awareness of the campaign. “Buses are just like moving billboards,” he said “and, with a route which runs right past the hospice into the town centre, there couldn’t be a more appropriate way to show our support.” 

Phil Astell, managing director of Astec Computing, a long-time supporter of St Michael’s Hospice, commented: “Having been involved with the Hospice for some years now, it’s great to be able to give support at the beginning of such a landmark year and to help raise awareness of its 21^st Anniversary Appeal.” 

Chairman of Hastings Round Table, Dale Seymour, said: “Round Table is centred around opportunities to become involved in the local community, so we’re proud to support an organisation that cares for hundreds of people across Hastings and Rother each year.”