Local bus drivers, engineers, cleaners and support teams have been celebrated for their excellence and dedication to the people of our region, as Hull bus operator, Stagecoach East Midlands, held its annual Long Service Awards.
Colleagues who have kept the buses moving around our local streets were invited to the prestigious Belton Woods Hotel and Spa, to be honoured for serving 20, 25, 30 and 35 years, as well as Gordon Johnson and Robert Scott, who have each served for a remarkable 40 years.
The evening, hosted by Commercial Director, Dave Skepper, and Operations Director, Zach McAskill, also celebrated the colleagues, who had been chosen as “Stars of the Month” over the past year, in different categories. They are Brandon Evans, Jolene Watson, Joseph Butterfield, Dereck Smith, Emma Graves, Richard Cunningham, Will Harvey, Iain Bonser, Stacy McKenna, Damian Bull, David Hodkinson, Daryll Thacker, Josh Brown, Matt Steeper, Mike Fraser, Scott Gibson, Tom Blakley, Tracy Williams, Conner Milne, Leigh Barker, Gary Whelan, Jason Kesby, Ian Chambers, Josh Sylvester, Rebecca Richardson and Leigh Pope.
From these, Jolene Watson, Derreck Smith and Gary Whelan were chosen as the shortlist for Employee of the Year, with the winner announced as Derreck Smith, for his remarkable compassion and professionalism in talking down a man who was threatening to take his own life, and helping him to get the care he needed.
During the evening, a Charity Raffle was also run to support the outstanding work done by Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. So far, Stagecoach East Midlands has raised £3,789.52 for the charity, and Corporate Partnerships Manager, Nil Patel was on hand to receive a big cheque.
Dave Skepper said: “The Long Service Awards are always a brilliant opportunity for the entire team to come together and recognise the talented and dedicated people who make Stagecoach East Midlands so special. We were delighted to celebrate our colleagues reaching impressive long service milestones, and to share some inspiring stories of individuals who have gone the extra mile for our customers and communities.”
— To find out more about local bus routes and services, and to buy before you board and to track your local bus, you can download the Stagecoach Bus App from www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp.