Information on Loughborough

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY RAISES TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS FOR CHARITY

Posted on 26/10/09
newsdesk

Street children in the third world and some of the most endangered animals on the planet are set to benefit from generous visitors the Great Central Railway. The award winning Leicestershire heritage line teamed up with two charities to raise money at special gala events.

The Railway Children charity had a stall at the 'Steam Railway Gala' held in mid October. The charity works with children living rough (especially in and around railway stations) right across the world. During the two days of the gala, the charity raised almost 1000. They estimate that's enough to help another 26 children living rough with essential support.

Meanwhile the Great Central teamed up with distinguished artist David Shepherd who was visiting the railway along with his engine "black Prince". At an exclusive 'Audience with David Shepherd' visitors bought prints of his work and took part in a charity auction. As a result around eighteen thousand pounds was raised for David's wildlife foundation which works to save tigers, elephants, rhinos and other critically endangered mammals in the wild.

Bill Ford, president of the Great Central Railway said, "This is a wonderful amount of money raised for good causes by our supporters. We're very pleased to be able to support both the Railway Children and David Shepherd's Wildlife Foundation. Both the Steam Railway Gala and the Audience With David Shepherd were very successful events for us."

During the Audience With David Shepherd event which was held at The Manor restaurant in Quorn, thousands of pounds was also raised for the David Clarke Railway Trust, the trust which supports the Great Central Railway.