​Great Northern thanks Royston Community Association and Fire Service for passenger support

Great Northern has donated a total of £750 to thank Royston Community Association and the local Fire Service for their help in assisting passengers who were stranded when a falling tree hit their train near Royston during the severe weather just before Christmas.

Great Northern’s Local Development Manager Patrick Ladbury presented cheques for £500 to Community Association Chairman Bill Davidson and community centre manager Gill Morland, and £250 to James Bull, Commander of Hitchin & Royston Fire Stations, on behalf of the Firefighters’ Charity.

Over 300 passengers had been stranded when the Ely to London train and the power lines above it were struck by a large falling tree in the late afternoon on 15 December.

Royston-based firefighters helped Great Northern staff and police evacuate the passengers safely and the Community Association opened their community centre and looked after passengers there until replacement buses arrived.

Gillian Morland said: “The Centre is very close to the where the train stopped and we were very happy to be able to help out on an evening during one of the storms this winter. The Royston Fire Brigade were brilliant and helped a great deal on the day which is why we wanted to share the donation with them.”

Bill Davidson said: “This donation will help us to continue to provide facilities for Royston and the surrounding area and is much appreciated.”

Commander Bull said: “Our firefighters are trained for such emergencies and we were pleased to be able to help out on the day. I am delighted to receive this cheque on behalf of the Firefighters’ Charity who provide fantastic support to serving and retired firefighters.”

Patrick Ladbury said: “We are delighted to make this gesture on behalf of our passengers and staff for the support that the local community and fire service were able to give. They made this incident much less unpleasant than it might have been for the stranded passengers.”

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