Press release -
Final train ride nets hospice over £6,000 from Thameslink
Thameslink presented its adopted Luton-based charity Keech Hospice Care with over £6,600 at the town's railway station last week.
The money was raised by running a final trip on a train being replaced with more modern carriage stock on Thameslink's sister operator's network, Southern. Over 400 railway enthusiasts bought tickets and joined in an on-board raffle and auction for the specially-chartered return trip between London Victoria and Brighton which took in unusual places such as sidings and depots.
Caron Hooper, Corporate Fundraiser at Keech, said: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support from Thameslink. The money we have received will really make a difference to the adults and children who are supported by Keech Hospice Care. As much as 70% of our funding comes from the community, so this money will help go towards helping us make sure no-one has to face a terminal or life-limiting illness alone.”
Ant Yandell, Train Services Manager, who was the driving force behind the trip, said: "It was a really intense four weeks to organise this and the whole thing seemed to take over my life, but I'm really pleased with how the day went and that we have so much money to pass onto the charity. Everyone was happy to donate to support Keech Hospice Care."
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Govia Thameslink Railway
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
- Thameslink – services between Bedford and Brighton, Luton/St Albans and Sutton, Wimbledon and Sevenoaks
- Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
- Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
- Gatwick Express – Fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
GTR is now the largest rail franchise in the UK in terms of passenger numbers, trains, revenue and staff: GTR carries about 326 million passenger journeys per year, employs around 6,500 people and generates annual passenger revenues of approximately £1.3bn.
The GTR investment programme for stations includes funding for more CCTV, toilet refurbishments, new retail facilities, help points and car park improvements – as well as plans for increased motorcycle storage and improved transport integration.
southernrailway.com,gatwickexpress.com, thameslinkrailway.comgreatnorthernrail.com
