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WHAT ’S HAPPENING ON THE RAILWAYS
NI public smash ’Stuff A Bus’ toy target for local children this Christmas he annual Translink and U105 Stuff A Bus Toy Appeal 2019 smashed its target of 20,000 toy donations. Thanks to the generosity of the NI public, thousands of children living in poverty received Christmas presents under the tree. Now in its third year, the public transport provider and broadcaster joined forces to support The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul’s Christmas Family Appeal. With toy donation points in bus and train stations across the country, Translink passengers,
staff, local businesses and the wider public responded with exceptional kindness, helping to stuff a double decker Translink bus with over 20,000 toys. The gifts were delivered ahead of Christmas Eve to families who need it most, ensuring thousands of children wake up to a present on Christmas morning. Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive of Translink, thanked everyone for their efforts: “A massive thank you to everyone who supported the Stuff A Bus Toy Appeal. Every year we wonder if we can beat the last target, and year on year thousands of people visit our stations to
donate and make a positive difference for families who are going through very tough times at Christmas. “If you’ve been tuning into U105 you will have heard moving stories about the families that St Vincent De Paul and the Salvation Army look after. It really brings home the need for ongoing support to tackle the serious issue of poverty across Northern Ireland. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone who has supported this year’s appeal, and I would like to wish them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Celebrating 10 years of Translink Youth Forum Pupils from local schools across Derry~Londonderry, Enniskillen, Newry and Belfast recently attended special workshops in their local areas, to celebrate 10 years of the Translink Youth Forum transforming public transport to support young people. Pupils took part in discussions on a wide range of matters to shine a spotlight on the views and experiences of younger passengers, including connections between public transport and the economy, social inclusion, congestion and active lifestyles. Pictured at the Belfast event are (l-r): Jane Murphy, Translink; Ushnik Banerjee, Methodist College – Belfast; Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive; Piaras Finucane, St Malachy’s College – Belfast; Tacy Hare, St Patrick’s Academy – Lisburn; Chris Quinn, NI Youth Forum Chief Executive; Lucy Grainger; and Naomi Sloane, Translink Youth Forum.
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