News & Initiatives

First supports Save the Children Campaign

Monday 27 June 2011

Company donates £6,256 worth of advertising space on buses in Wyvern

Local bus operator First Midlands today revealed that it has donated advertising space on its 170 buses in Wyvern to Save the Children, in a gesture worth some £6,256.

The adverts, which include the message ‘No Child Born Without A Chance, form part of Save the Childrens 2011 ‘Born To campaign. They have already been installed on a number of First buses in Worcester, Hereford, Kidderminster and Redditch and will be rolled out to the remainder in the coming weeks.

However, its not just buses in Wyvern that will feature the adverts; in total around 7,000 First buses in the UK will carry them, as part of FirstGroup Plcs " First Midlands parent company " commitment to its national charity partner, Save the Children. The move is worth around £260,000 to the charity in total.

David Hibbs, General Manager of First in Wyvern, said: "Providing free advertising on our buses is one example of how First supports Save the Children. Our in-kind support and cash donations have totaled more than £4 million since our partnership began in 2007.'

He continued: "The adverts will feature on all 102 of our buses in the city. They will prove a valuable tool in raising public awareness of the crucial role that Save the Children plays in improving the quality of life for thousands of children in the UK.'

Douglas Rouse, Corporate Partnerships Director at Save the Children, added: "We are so grateful for FirstGroups generous support of our campaign through free advertising on its buses. This is an incredible opportunity to reach more people with the message that no child should be born without a chance because theyre born into poverty.'

The adverts, which are displayed inside Firsts buses, are currently being rolled out and will remain on display for around two months.

About Save the Childrens ‘Born To Campaign
Save the Children believes that every child should get the chance to fulfil their potential, wherever they're born and whatever their circumstances. No child in the UK should be born without a warm home, the right food, or the hope of a good education. So it is asking the UK public to help the poorest children get a better start in life - both at home and at school, and it's campaigning to make sure government is working towards a time when no child in this country is born without a chance. People can get involved and help change children's lives by doing what they're born to do - for example, if you're born to run you can join a Save the Children running group. You can find out more at www.savethechildren.org.uk/bornto.