All aboard as vintage mini bus set to arrive at John O’Groats!
A trio of passengers are set to arrive in John O’Groats on Friday - on a tiny vintage bus.
The three brothers are taking part in an unusual End-to-End journey by driving the miniature 1940s vehicle more than 1000 miles from Land’s End.
Will, Andrew and James Emerton set off last Friday on the former fairground ride which is just three feet tall and eight feet long, and has a top speed of 12mph.
The tiny 1948 Johnstones Midget bus, which was once an attraction at Brighton on the south coast of England, is nearing the end of its cross-country journey on a mission dubbed the “Little Bus Big Ride”.
The journey has been raising awareness and funds for three children’s charities as it makes its way north.
The charities are Hope House & Tŷ Gobaith, offering hospice care for seriously ill children in Shropshire, Cheshire, and Wales; MPS Society UK, supporting families affected by rare genetic conditions like MPS and Fabry; and The Children’s Society, fighting to improve the lives of vulnerable children across the UK.
The Emerton brothers are from Nantwich in Cheshire where they run a family roofing business, which is marking 100 years in 2025.
Their journey rolled through Nantwich on Easter Sunday during the town’s bustling Jazz, Blues & Music Festival. Locals lined the street to cheer them on, with volunteers collecting donations and their support vehicle close behind.
“Every child and young person battling illness or adversity deserves joy, comfort and love,” said the Emertons. “Your support brings smiles, eases pain, and helps create memories that matter. Together, we’re making a difference.”
With the finish line in sight, the brothers have already passed the halfway mark of their £30,000 fundraising goal, and donations are still rolling in.