A busman’s holiday with heart: Will Thomson’s journey from Margate to Liverpool for hospice awareness
For many, Margate beach holds fond childhood memories – and for Will Thomson, it’s now the starting point of a heartfelt mission to raise awareness for hospice care across the country.
Will Thomson, 57, a retired entrepreneur originally from Glasgow and now living in Liverpool, is embarking on a bus-only journey from Margate to Woodlands Hospice in Liverpool – a symbolic and personal adventure using only a bus pass, a few essentials, and a hospice collection bucket.
Will sets off on Thursday 31 July, the date of what would have been Will’s father’s birthday, aiming to arrive at Woodlands on Friday 1 August. The route will be taken entirely by public transport, travelling from stop to stop with regular services and a strong message: Hospice care matters.
Hospices are deeply meaningful to Will. His father-in-law was cared for at Woodlands Hospice, Liverpool, where he spent his final days with dignity and comfort following a prostate cancer diagnosis. Will’s own father, Willie Thomson, was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice in Margate in 2020, after being transferred from QEQM Hospital during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He died of a respiratory condition just before the country went into lockdown.
“My dad was given incredible care,” Will said.
“The staff at Pilgrims were there not just for him, but for us too. It’s something I’ll never forget. I love the place, Planet Thanet!”
His journey isn’t about raising large amounts of money – though he’ll be carrying Pilgrims Hospices collection buckets – but more about raising awareness. “There are still so many people who don’t understand that hospices are charities,” Will said. “They’re not part of the NHS. If you’ve never had to use one, you might not know what they do – but when you need them, they’re everything.”
Hospice care is a cause that’s become part of Will’s story. Though he spent most of his career running businesses and working with not-for-profit organisations, it’s his family’s connection to buses and coaches that inspired the journey’s mode of travel.
Will’s father, a Glaswegian who moved his heart and soul to Thanet, worked for many years as a driver for Wallace Arnold coaches, and before that for Glasgow Bus Corporation. “We’ve always said we have diesel in our blood,” Will smiles. “This journey felt like a natural way to honor him and support a cause we care about.”
While planning the route and making local visits before setting off, Will experienced a moving moment in a Margate pub. “Two guys I was chatting to just handed me £10 for the collection bucket,” he said. “That really touched me – it restored my faith in people. It’s those little gestures that mean so much.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager for Pilgrims Hospices, praised Will’s efforts:
“Will is an absolute star. His journey is a powerful way to raise awareness for hospice care, and we’re so grateful he’s carrying the Pilgrims name with him. With a bus pass, a big heart, and a bucket, we wish him the safest and happiest of travels.”
Though his daughter was disappointed to miss the trip – having been double-booked for a family holiday – Will remains upbeat and focused. He’ll also be visiting family in Margate before the first leg of his route, and says he’s braced for the inevitable: “Let’s be honest, I’m going to end up with a numb bum!”
So if you spot Will on your local bus, give him a wave – or even drop a coin in the bucket. Because he’s not just taking a journey; he’s carrying a message of care, dignity, and compassion, and a big smile that deserves a seat on every route across the UK. Please support him every step of the way.
Find out how Will’s journey went by following him on Facebook.
