A team from Stagecoach North East was invited to visit the Daisy Chain farm in Norton after helping to raise £750 in April for the charity.
In April the Stockton bus depot played host to an open day to celebrate 50 years of Teesside Municipal Transport, with crowds of people visiting the local bus company to take part in a family fun day and commemorate the anniversary.
As part of the event a number of activities took place and through the generosity of the public, over £430 was collected on the day, which the local bus operator topped up to £750 to donate to the Stockton children’s charity.
Employees were delighted to spend time working with the animals, including goats, alpacas and reptiles, and take a look around Daisy Chain, a charity which supports families across the Tees Valley affected by autism.
The Daisy Chain farm is a popular attraction for our children and their families, and is home to numerous animals, including pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, alpacas, skunks, reptiles and more.
Daisy Chain believes that animals are a great tool for encouraging interaction and stimulation for children affected by autism, many of whom struggle to develop relationships. Children who visit the farm can hold the animals, get involved in feeding and grooming them, as well as making sure their pens and living environments are kept tidy, and is a unique learning opportunity for the children through what is often their first time interacting with animals.
Nathan Stanlislawski, Operations Manager for the Teesside depot, said: “The Daisy Chain centre and farm is a wonderful place, offering much needed support in our local community for families who face the challenges autism brings, and we are very proud to have helped them in this way. We had a great time looking around the farm and would like to offer our thanks to Angela for giving us her time. We would also like to thank our passengers for supporting us and giving as generously as they did at the open day.”
Stuart Dexter, chief executive of Daisy Chain, said: “We get amazing support from our local businesses and it is heart-warming that people are thinking of us when they hold their events. We always enjoy welcoming fundraisers to the farm so they can get a real understanding of what their generosity supports and see the facilities which are so important for families affected by autism.”