Brandon’s Inspiring Fylde Coast Fundraising Journey

Brandon’s Inspiring Fylde Coast Fundraising Journey

Brandon, who uses our services in Blackpool, recently undertook an epic journey around the Fylde Coast with Support Worker Stephen Fidler to raise money for Autism Initiatives.

Travelling on the first tram out of Blackpool at 5am on Tuesday 28th October, Brandon and Stephen spent 16 hours exploring the area using only tram and bus services.

Together they visited Fleetwood, St Annes, Knott End and many more well-known locations – and a few hidden gems – along the coast.
In order to try and raise money for Autism initiatives and do something that Brandon loves, the team came up with the idea of riding the transport system from the very start of the day until late at night.

Stephen Fidler said:
“It was a fantastic day, Brandon would love to do it again actually. We fought the tiredness, as we were up before 0400 and didn’t get back until after 2200, but the feeling we got after completing it was euphoric. Many of the Blackpool Transport staff were great, very supportive to Brandon as they know him from previously working with them. We sincerely hope that Autism Initiatives receive plenty of donations but the joy it gave to Brandon tops it for me. Let’s see what we can come up with next!”

 

Area Manager Nick Goodchild said:
“We congratulate Brandon on his amazing fundraising effort! What an inspiring achievement.”

Brandon is a volunteer and a familiar face at Tramtown, the home of Blackpool’s world-famous heritage trams.

Brandon has always loved transport, and as a child he collected models of aeroplanes, trains, boats and trams. His main love has always been buses though, and Blackpool Transport buses are his favourite.

Brandon shared that he’s always had a dream to own his own bus. An Optare Solo, no less. This is a single decker bus. Brandon has seen one for sale needing some TLC and to help build it back up to what it once was.

Brandon is saving very hard to make this ambition come true and he’s even found a company willing to store this bus for him. For now, admiring the buses and their workforce is what he loves to do.

Throughout their fundraising efforts, Brandon and Stephen were supported by Blackpool transport. They livestreamed their progress on Blackpool Transport’s social media channels.

Brandon shared that since coming to Autism Initiatives, the staff have always supported him in doing what he’d always wanted to do and he never thought he’d be able to experience so many opportunities. So, this is his way of saying ‘thank you’, and it was a real labour of love!