Coach operator's staff spend night under the stars to raise cash for veterans

The quartet from Shaws of Maxey set up camp in the coach yard for the night as part of The Great Tommy Sleep Out.

The four, Graham Knott, who has been with Shaws since 1987, Carl Smith, a Shaws employee since 2013, Dennis Woolfe, who has been with the firm since 2009 and Tom Brand, who join the company last year, raised £1,424 for the Royal British Veterans Enterprise, a national charity that supports ex-servicemen and women.

Shaws’ owner Jo Bonnett said: “Our wonderful team never fails to shine – just like the stars did for them last Friday.

"We are incredibly proud of the four ‘happy campers’ that chose to take on this challenge for such a worthy cause, we were delighted to support them by offering a safe outdoor space for the night, helping to raise awareness of veteran homelessness.

"There’s no doubt that their strong team spirit got them through the frosty evening, it has certainly left us with a warm heart.”

“It was an amazing achievement and we are so very proud of them.”

She added: “Our drivers are used to a warm welcome from our hotel partners during our tours across the UK – the conditions for this overnight stay were rather different.

"But, even in the frosty temperatures, spirits remained high – just as they always are on our tours.

"With Graham on bed making duty, Den on fire building, Carl on cooking and Tom on ration duty - they really were the dream team.

"Tom slept army-style, constructing himself a basha and eating and drinking from an army-issue ration pack whilst the others set up tents and camping chairs.

"Despite the chilly conditions they all agreed that they’d be happy to do it again next year.”

“Thank you to everyone that supported us.”

Donations can be made up until the end of March by clicking here.