Class 321 Farewell
May 2023: A huge thank you to Jonathan Denby and all at #GreaterAnglia for the Class 321 Farewell charity train.
"3 really important charities that cut across the whole of our region"
Jonathan Denby from Greater Anglia told That's TV about their Successful Greater Anglia Class 321 Farewell charity train that raised £22,200 for East Anglia's Children's Hospices - EACH, Havens Hospices & Railway Mission
Chair Travels
March 2023: Railway Mission Chair Alex Volossevich embarked on a journey to spend time with Mission chaplains. This is his journal.
Chair Travels
I wanted to visit our front-line staff in situ and to meet railway staff and managers to see for myself the interactions that our chaplains have with them – to note first-hand the service that we provide. And I was not disappointed.
On 23 March 2023, three years after the first national lockdown, the rail industry came together to acknowledge the contribution of colleagues in the rail industry who kept people and goods moving during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The day was a chance to recognise the impact, personal sacrifice, and sad loss within the rail industry. But also thank our people and their valuable contribution to society and Britain’s economy.
On Wednesday the 25th of May 2022 we started the Railway Mission Staff Conference at Northampton, which was opened and closed by our Chair of Trustees Alex.
On Friday, we were honoured to have Andrew Haines join us. Andrew is the Chief Executive for Network Rail. This was a great opportunity for the Railway Mission to pray for Andrew and the core leadership team at Network Rail and the Transition Team for future Great British Railways.
On 21 March 1922 Waterloo station was officially reopened by Queen Mary, following rebuilding to consolidate and expand on development since the station’s original opening in 1848.
The centenary of the reopening was marked with a ceremony on the steps of the Victory Arch, exactly 100 years later on 21 March
Chaplaincy Support to the Railway Industry is 8727 on a total of 10,778 occasions. Remember that this was during the COVID restriction and reduced service.
Sam is 14 and lives in Gloucestershire; diagnosed with autism and suffering from high levels of anxiety, his love of the railways has always helped him. Over the past two years, he has been supported by many organisations and people. Two groups stand out – mental health support and the amazing people in the “railway family”. Sam says “I would like to show my appreciation by raising money for two charities - Teens in Crisis+ (TIC+) and the Railway Mission with 100% of funds raised being split equally between them.” Sam has sent the first £152.50 to the two charities. Thank you, Sam!
Each year the railway comes together to remember the sacrifice and loss experienced during times of conflict. This year there will be events across the network albeit with some caution due to the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic.
Matthew is raising money for Railway Mission.
In September 2021 he is attempting to cycle from Lands End to John O' Groats, in 9 days. He will be camping for 8 of the 9 nights, so hoping for dry weather while cycleing the 970 miles.
We are excited to announce that Railway Mission has signed the Railway Mental Health Charter [RMHC]. The RMHC has been designed for rail, and co-developed with the rail industry, to support organisations efforts in improving mental wellbeing.
Railway Mission is delighted to announce the appointment of Alex Volossevich as the new Chair of Trustees. Alex joins the Railway Mission taking on the role from Keith Rose who retired from the Trustee Board at the Railway Mission’s AGM on the 29th of June 2021. Keith joined the Trustee Board in 2001, becoming Chair of Trustees in 2008.
Maintaining access requires Railway Mission provides a service that is of value to the rail companies. Despite COVID-19, we have remained effective and proactive in providing pastoral and welfare service in a COVID Secure Way.
On Wednesday the 12th of August the Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street passenger train left the tracks after it hit a landslide near Stonehaven.
BBC Sunday Morning Live looks at the support provided to rail staff and some of the pressures they can experience following the Covid-19 lockdown
British Transport Police: being part of PMART:
Pandemic Multi-Agency Response Teams (PMART) respond to Covid-19 in the community
The railway industry held a remembrance service at Southwark Cathedral to remember the sacrifice of the rail industry during times of conflict.
BTP Chaplains from the Railway Mission were given the Community Volunteer Award for the ongoing care & support they provide to staff & passengers, particularly in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks at Manchester Arena and London Bridge.
Everyone at Railway Mission is incredibly grateful to the team, Heather Waugh, Bessie Matthews, Debbie Francis, Natasha Hanson and Mike Roberts for the incredible efforts to raise over £3000 by walking over 1200 miles in June 2021.
Railway Mission is a registered charity in England and Wales (1128024) and in Scotland (SC045897). A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (06519565)
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