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Charity hero to push double-decker shopping trolley
along bus routes
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Aims to raise funds and collect food donations
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Every weekend during summer holidays, the busiest time
for food banks
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Already raised £6,000 this year with 50-mile walk in
April
Neil ‘The Bus Walker' Atherton is returning to Liverpool City
Region's streets this summer to raise vital funds and collect
donations for local foodbanks.
Pushing his distinctive double decker-themed shopping trolley,
the Arriva instructor from Widnes will pound the pavements every
weekend during the summer holidays - following some of the
region's best-known bus routes.
Having already raised an incredible £20,000 for national food
bank charity The Trussel Trust in previous efforts, Neil - who
was a recipient of a British Empire Medal in the 2023 New Year's
Honours list - is now focusing his energy closer to home,
supporting food banks throughout the Liverpool City Region.
His commitment is already making a huge impact, with more than
£6,000 raised this year alone, following an impressive 50-mile
walk in a single day in April. That epic journey saw him traverse
from Southport to Runcorn, making stops at six depots including
Bootle, Green Lane, St Helens, and Speke.
Now, for ‘round two' during the critical school holiday period
when food banks face their highest demand, Neil is back on his
feet, and he's not alone! He's brought along his custom-made ‘Bus
Walker 1' shopping trolley, which he plans to weigh down with
generous food donations collected along his routes.
Neil's inspiring mission was sparked by a powerful documentary on
child food poverty in the north of England, which highlighted the
struggles of families relying on food banks during school breaks.
"As a parent, I believe no child should ever go to bed hungry –
yet sadly, this is the reality for many families in our region
today," says Neil.
"I'm just one person with a trolley, but every step I take is
about showing people they're not alone. If you're able to donate
- even just a tin or a pound - it goes a long way."
Speaking about Neil's amazing efforts, Cllr Steve
Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Transport Committee, said:
“People like Neil are what make our city region so special.
“Literally going that extra mile, and some, to help those less
fortunate should be celebrated – and what a great way to do it,
mixing his profession and passion for buses covering some of our
best-known routes.
“I'd encourage anyone who can to donate and help support such a
worthy cause.”
Neil's upcoming walking schedule promises to cover significant
ground:
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26 July: Route 79C from Murdishaw to Hough
Green
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9 August: Route 86A from John Lennon Airport
to Liverpool
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16 August: Route 27 Liverpool Circular
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23 August: Route 12 from Rhyl to Llandudno
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30 August: Route 10A from St Helens to
Liverpool
Several local food banks are rallying behind Neil, with
representatives joining him for parts of his journey. These
include the St Helens Food Pantry, Widnes Food Bank, New
Beginnings Improving Lives, and both North and South branches of
the Trussel Trust.
Neil's incredible year of fundraising will culminate in festive
Santa Dashes across the Liverpool City Region and Cheshire, with
all proceeds being distributed among the food banks he's
championed along his routes.
