Bosham resident on bus trip of a lifetime returns home

Penny Ibbott – also known as the Boomer on a Bus – had set herself a goal of travelling around the English coast using just her concessionary bus pass, to raise money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

She managed to travel for just over two weeks before the trip was prematurely ended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Penny hopes that she will be able to continue in the future.

She said: “Even though it was cut short, this was a wonderful adventure.

“I experienced so much friendliness and generosity. The donations were steadily coming in – some from people I met only briefly.

“I hope the giving will start again, once I get back on the road. In the meantime, I shall take care, keep safe and keep well.”

Penny became an ambassador for St Wilfrid’s after seeing their work first hand when her husband required their services three years ago.

During her time away Penny managed to travel around the South West Peninsula, on to Bristol then Gloucester, Hereford, Leominster and finally Shrewsbury.

A group of friends saw Penny off as she started her journey on March 2 on the 700 bus from Bosham, which included representatives from St Wilfrid’s Hospice and Colin Ashcroft, operations manager for Stagecoach buses in the Portsmouth area as well as his colleague Steve Thorpe, who travelled with Penny to Portsmouth.

After Penny arrived at The Hard Interchange in Portsmouth, another group of friends and family members assembled to wave goodbye.

Penny was joined by Pat Sissons from BBC Radio Solent who travelled on the X4 from Portsmouth to Southampton and conducted his show live from the bus.

After Southampton, Penny continued her journey alone.

As well as being featured in the Observer, Penny’s trip was covered by BBC Radio Devon, Radio Cornwall and Radio Somerset, and she was also a guest on Drive Time, BBC Radio Shropshire’s afternoon show.

So far, Penny’s bus trip has raised £736.89 for St Wilfrid’s Hospice – to donate, visit her fundraising page at stwilfrids
fundraisers.everydayhero.com/uk/boomer-on-a-bus-1

To find out more about Penny’s trip, visit www.facebook.com/boomeronabus

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