Paignton bus team saves the day for 85-year-old adventurer

Stagecoach South West came to the rescue when an 85-year-old, fund-raising adventurer needed help in Paignton.

The bus company came up with a gold star mercy mission when Brother John needed them the most.

A resident of The Hospital of St Cross in Winchester, Brother John is currently travelling the entire UK coastline by public bus to raise awareness and funds for what is believed to be the oldest almshouse in the country ahead of its 900th anniversary. His journey brought him through the South West where an unexpected challenge arose during a changeover at Paignton Bus Station.

Just after switching buses, Brother John realised that he had accidentally left his phone onboard a Gold service heading back to Plymouth.

With the bus already gone and no direct radio contact, Brother John feared the worst—until Jay Clark, Stagecoach South West’s Operations Manager in Paignton, stepped in immediately set to work, coordinating with colleagues in Plymouth to locate the phone and arrange for its return. But he didn’t stop there.

On his own time the following evening, Jay personally delivered the recovered phone to Brother John’s accommodation in Newton Abbot.

Brother John later described the act on his blog: "The astonishingly capable and helpful Jay Clark... explained there was no radio connection with the bus, but he would contact Plymouth, locate the phone, get it forwarded to Newton Abbot and find a way to get it back to me.

"And he absolutely did. Jay provided service beyond the call of duty. I am extremely grateful for his care, kindness, and attention.”

Peter Knight, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, praised the team’s actions adding: "This story captures the very best of our people. Jay and the Paignton team turned a potential crisis into a story of compassion and professionalism.

"We’re proud to have been part of Brother John’s incredible journey and even prouder of the way our team represented Stagecoach.”

Brother John’s nationwide challenge—undertaken using his national concessionary bus pass—aims to raise awareness and funds for vital restoration work at The Hospital of St Cross, the oldest charitable almshouse in continuous use in the UK, founded in 1132.