'˜Santa' Ken is back on the buses to raise cash for cancer charity

A kind-hearted bus driver is back on the road in his uniform for a famous festive fundraising effort to help raise money for a children's cancer charity.

Since the start of the month, Ken Ramsay has took to the wheel of his bus dressed as Santa.

As well as spreading a little festive cheer for his passengers, he hopes to raise much-needed funds for CLIC Sargent.

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The 62-year-old has chosen the charity, which supports families of children diagnosed with cancer, after meeting South Tyneside parents Alfie Leggett and Susan Clarkson, who were supported by the charity while their son Jack, nine, battled a brain tumour.

Sadly, Jack died two months after he was diagnosed in December 2013.

Ken, who himself battled bowel cancer two years ago, said: “I’ve raised quite a lot of money in the past for various cancer charities, then I was put in touch with Alfie after taking part in Wig Wednesday for CLIC Sargent.

“After hearing about what happened with Jack and what the charity does, I decided this year to raise funds for them. It is such a worthwhile charity.”

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Ken, who works for Stagecoach, will be wearing his Santa outfit and collecting people’s spare change as he drives his bus around South Tyneside and Sunderland.

In the past Ken has raised money for St Clare’s Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Care.

Mr Leggett, from Primrose Avenue, South Shields, said: “It’s great what Ken is doing for charity, and we can’t thank him enough for choosing CLIC Sargent.”

CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families.

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The charity provides clinical, practical, financial and emotional support to children, young people and their families, to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life.

The charity supports the family unit from the moment a child is diagnosed and throughout their treament and aftercare, or in some cases bereavement.