Bentley Presented World’s Most Luxurious Charity Bus

Bentley just presented the world’s most luxurious charity bus, a former London Routemaster which has been restored and handed over to the St Luke’s hospice. After buying the old bus, St Luke appealed to Bentley Motors for help with the restoration, as the British car manufacturer had helped the hospice’s charity before.

Fifty-nine people were involved in this project. During 2,000 hours of work, the team from Bentley Motors restored the bus and kept a balance between originality and St Luke’s needs. They used the same leather they use on Bentley cars and every piece was hand stitched. Everyone contributed, as the woodshop, toolroom and maintenance departments developed rails, a kitchen unit and shelves. The used ticket bin, a feature at the exit of all Routemaster buses, was converted into a donation tin.

“This has been a real labour of love for all those involved. Bentley staff are incredibly proud of the cars we produce but applying those skills to a bus was a totally new experience for all. We are very grateful to the many local suppliers who provided materials free of charge to help make this iconic vehicle fit for a new lease of life,” said The Bentley production manager in charge of the project, Gary Lazenby.

St Luke’s corporate fundraiser Karen Burns said: “Bentley’s support has been invaluable to us over the past three years and we are astounded by our new community bus. This is a world-first, a community charity bus finished to Bentley standard, with plush leather interiors and Bentley wings on show to promote our relationship with the organisation. What we have is not only unique but is also a practical tool for us to share the St Luke’s story.”

Doug Dickson, board member for manufacturing at Bentley Motors added: “Many of our associates have accrued time as the global downturn forced us to reduce production and shutdown for a number of weeks earlier this year We offered the team the opportunity to use some of their downtime to help the hospice and were overwhelmed with the response. Rather than stay at home, so many skilled Bentley team members volunteered to help St Luke’s. The result is a vehicle which combines the best of British luxury craftsmanship and manufacturing skill within an historic vehicle which is a symbol of British transport. We hope it helps make a difference here, in our local community.”