Morebus is turbo-charging its support for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity by gifting £50,000.

Earlier this year, the bus operator named the charity as its official good cause for 2024 and 2025.

It is spending two years raising funds and awareness to help it enhance the treatment and care of patients accessing NHS services at Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch hospitals.

Andrew Wickham, Morebus Managing Director, pictured left, said: “University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity is a crucial local resource, helping to pay for additional equipment, research and innovations – as well as finishing touches and ‘extras’ that complement the existing high-quality care for patients across the three towns.

“It provides financial support to areas of the hospitals’ services that lie beyond the scope of NHS funding – and this is of enormous benefit to thousands of people living across our area.

“Our Corporate Charity is voted for by the Morebus team.

“Many of my colleagues have benefited directly from the support University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity provides, so we have decided to boost our support with this lump sum which is in addition to our fundraising efforts this year and next.

“We hope this latest donation will help University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity make a real difference to those accessing its services across our region.”

As Morebus’ corporate charity for 2024 and 2025, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity is also featured on a bus back and on-board messaging, to help raise awareness of its work.

Karen Smith, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity Senior Charity Manager, said: “We are deeply grateful to Morebus for their incredibly generous donation of £50,000 towards our BEACH Appeal for the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

“Their ongoing support, including choosing University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity as its charity of the year for 2024 and 2025, shows their unwavering dedication to the wellbeing of our community.

“Thanks to Morebus, countless individuals – including visitors, families, NHS staff and patients in the BCP area – have the means to reach their destinations regardless of their situations.

“University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity is also dedicated to aiding our community in times of need, and we are delighted to collaborate with Morebus to drive positive transformation for the communities in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

“With their phenomenal contribution, we are one step closer to achieving our vision of providing the new BEACH building at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital with all the extras it needs to take our healthcare into the future – above and beyond what the NHS will fund.”

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity corporate fundraiser, Hayley Harris, added: “It’s genuinely heartwarming to see Morebus at the forefront of driving change and transforming our healthcare with this fantastic donation.

“This extraordinary support will help us fund vital projects that will make long-lasting differences to those in our community.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Morebus for being such a vital part of this new exciting chapter for our local hospitals. Your support is invaluable and will make a difference to all those visiting the BEACH building.”

• www.uhdcharity.org