RM News • Issue 2 • 2022

RM News Issue 2 • 2022

Support on life’s journey

Cover Photo • Josh Kirk for Unsplash North Yorkshire Moors Railway • Levisham

www.railwaymission.org

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From the Top

Railway Mission Rugby Railway Station Rugby • CV21 3LA

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Waterloo remembers

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Potters Bar rail crash remembered

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Honorary Chaplain to the High Sheriff

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Operation Overbridge Special Report

office@railwaymission.org support@railwaymission.org

0203 887 7000 Railway Mission is a registered charity in England and Wales (1128024) and in Scotland SC045897). A company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (06519565)

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Railway Mission in print

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Post-Incident Support Report

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Fit & Fun

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Chaplains Prayer & Info

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Adopt a chaplain!

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Free wills extension

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Six ways to support Railway Mission

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They helped me through the hard times

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From the top

Celebrating Her Majesty the Queen WilkiImages for pixabay

There are those who regard the monarchy as an outdated institution that should be consigned to the past.

But regardless of this idea or ones to the contrary, an inescapable truth is that the Queen over her 96 years has grown in wisdom and insight as can be seen from the following snippets.

In the Queen's Christmas Message of 1999, as the new millennium drew near, the Queen reflected on the “pace of change.” She said on her mother's 99th birthday in August 1999 that she had noted how "different were her early years compared with those of my grandchildren.”

At 73 she said people of her age feared being “left behind” and the “familiar and the comforting" being "swept away.” But she urged them not to be anxious and to “make sense of the future.” Adding, “Winston Churchill, my first prime minister, said that ‘the further backward you look, the further forward you see.’”

That year, she opened the new Scottish parliament and urged people to get excited by ‘new gadgets,’ and keep living by the ‘Christian teaching of loving thy neighbour.’

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Then in 2006, reflecting on how the old and the young could learn from one another, she said: "I am reminded of a lady of about my age who was asked by an earnest, little granddaughter the other day, ‘Granny, can you remember the Stone Age?’ Whilst that may be going a bit far, the older generation are able to give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience which can be invaluable.”

As we age, let's remember the words of Psalm 92:12-14: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,” and pray that our ‘fruit’ will give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience to the next generation.

Liam Johnston Executive Director Railway Mission

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Waterloo remembers On 21st 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. As well as being the station’s main entrance, the Victory Arch (pictured left) is one of the largest war memorials on the railway, dedicated to the 585 members of the London and South Western Railway who lost their lives in service during the Great War. The centenary of the reopening was marked with a ceremony on the steps of the Victory Arch, exactly 100 years later on 21st March 2022, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. The ceremony was led by the Railway Mission Chaplain Christopher Henley (pictured, right), who was also joined by colleagues from Network Rail, South Western Railway, the Railway Heritage Trust and the British Transport Police, along with representatives serving in the Armed Forces and Armed Forces Veterans.

Christopher led tributes of remembrance to those lost in the war, whilst also praying for those affected by war and conflict saying: “We have gathered at this memorial today to remember all those from our railway community who were caught up in the courageous but tragic events of the First World War. We remember those who were killed in action, or by disease, the bereaved, the lost, the families which were shattered, the wounded,

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maimed and injured, and those who held in silence unspeakable memories of warfare.

We also remember and hold in our hearts, those affected by the conflicts that have marred the past one hundred years. We remember those who fought and those who remained anxiously at home; those who did not return home; and those who live with the scars of war, both physical and emotional.”

“Let us pray: Our Lord and Father, we come before you with hearts heavy with the memory of wars and conflicts. Yet we also remember that the freedoms we have today were secured by the sacrifice of those who fought for their country.”

“We pray for all those bereaved and touched by grief; for the families and loved ones, touched by the pain of loss.

Help us to remember the sacrifice of those who did not return, and help us to build a society that holds peace and understanding, compassion and love as the highest of ideals. Amen.”

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Photos this page by Gail Anderson

Potters Bar rail crash remembered On May 10th 2002 a tragic incident took place at Potters Bar Station that affected the lives of many families and rail staff.

Seven people died, and many others were injured, when the last carriage of the train left the tracks due to loosened points, skewed off the tracks onto the platform and slid along before coming to a halt, derailing the train.

A large crowd, including family members, gathered 20 years later in the rain for a memorial wreath laying at the station Memorial Garden followed by a service at Our Lady & St Vincent Church nearby.

The service at the church included messages from family members, representatives of the service organisations, and local ministers who had set up a triage centre at the former church building for casualties at the time. The beautiful singing by a local school choir at the service spoke of hope for a better future for all.

"We will never forget those who lost their lives or those left behind to grieve and forced to rebuild their worlds after it," Deputy Mayor, Cllr John Graham said.

Railway Mission Chaplain Steve Rowe conducted the wreath laying service at the station, where the Deputy Lord Lieutenant opened the commemoration, and wreaths were laid by family members, friends, and representatives from the local Council and community, rail industry, police and Emergency Service organisations.

Chair Alex Volossevich laid a wreath on behalf of Railway Mission.

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Mylo Kaye for Pexels

Honorary Chaplain to the High Sheriff In the summer of 2020, Railway Mission Chaplain Mike Roberts was invited to meet Lorraine WorsleyCarter, one of the deputies of the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.

They met on a very sunny afternoon in the city and she told Mike that she had been asked to serve as High Sheriff for Greater Manchester for 2022/23, and wanted to ask him to serve as her honorary chaplain.

“The only condition was that the rules meant that we weren't allowed to tell

anyone until it was officially announced by the Monarch, around two weeks before the installation,” says Mike.

The High Sheriff's office goes back to the eleventh century, but now includes a ceremonial role as the Queen's representative to the judiciary and to support and promote the charitable work of the city.

“It's a role filled with history and it was a privilege to be asked to serve,” Mike adds.

In April this year Mike was at the Lowry Theatre in Salford to take part in the installation ceremony with representatives from the Crown Courts, Magistrates, the Lord Lieutenant, Greater Manchester Police and British Transport Police.

“I first met Lorraine in 2018, leading the remembrance services at the stations in Manchester, and we've kept in touch since. She's massively supportive of the work of the Railway Mission, and in her role as a publicist she hopes to tell the story of Railway Mission over the course of her year as sheriff. There's some really exciting things to come over the next year, and a chance to talk about the work that chaplains are doing across the whole country,” says Mike.

Please pray for Lorraine as she undertakes this role, and for the opportunities that arise.

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Operation Overbridge

Special Report

Above: Chaplains being briefed outside the Triage Centre run by Camden Council at London St Pancras International Station

British Transport Police Chief Inspector Tara Doyle got in touch with Railway Mission Executive Director Liam Johnston in April to request chaplaincy support for officers and staff who are working to assist the incoming Ukrainian refugees.

Operation Overbridge is the name given to the task of receiving refugees into Britain through the various ports. Our particular emphasis has been on supporting staff at London St Pancras International, which is the main entrance point for refugees travelling on Eurostar from European venues via France.

Ukrainians enter the country. We also provide support for the Camden Council staff, as they come under our chaplaincy care once they become part of the railway community of workers.

BTP officers are mainly present to provide security as refugees come through the gates at Eurostar.

Unbelievably, there are people with predatory motives who are only too willing to take advantage of the plight of people fleeing from the war in Ukraine.

Staff and volunteers from Camden Council have also set up a Triage Centre at the station, where refugees are not only received and processed, but also have their immediate needs taken care of.

Modern slavery is one of the potential problems, so police are being very vigilant and watchful as refugees enter the country, and procedures have been put in place that will hopefully provide the high level of protection needed.

Our remit has been to visit BTP officers on the ground to check on their wellbeing as they help displaced

Camden Council workers, also, have been faced with a number of dilemmas as they sort through the

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numerous processes needed to find places of safety for incoming Ukrainians. Gradually, systems are being put into place to relocate displaced people and find them homes for the time being, until, it is hoped, they can return to their homeland and rebuild their own community.

It’s been a steep learning curve for many support workers as they solve the problems that come their way, such as sponsors not arriving on time, refugees arriving from other locations with no sponsor available, visas missing in some cases also.

Inter-departmental cooperation also, has to be carefully and purposefully thought through, sometimes on the fly, as different dilemmas arise.

Camden staff have appreciated our presence and the regular visits to the Triage Centre, just to see how the volunteers and staff are coping. I know that many of our on-call chaplains have had meaningful conversations with staff as they offload some frustrations or stories of having to think on their feet and reconsider their approach to various situations.

Some of the stories told to staff by refugees are, of course, heartbreaking.

It’s always difficult to witness, say, a family of a mother and two or three children, but no father with them, or no elder sons, as the men, and some women, remain behind to defend their country. We very much pray that these families will, in the near future, hopefully, be reunited.

At the time of this report, the influx of refugees is gradually increasing. Homes are being found, and, I know in the area in which I live, people are opening their homes and lives to these displaced

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Ukrainian nationals. You, too, will know of people taking in refugees in your area.

At London St Pancras International station, a Camden Council team member is sorting through another dilemma. A family has gone missing in Wales, having travelled out of London.

They arrived at a hotel, but they didn’t like it, took a taxi to find somewhere else, and were not heard of again for too long for comfort. Officers were dispatched to find them. They were located at another hotel, where, it was discovered later, “they had not only settled, but been offered jobs, and were now safe and at work.” Palpable relief is etched on his face.

A small victory, then, in the many challenges of placing living beings currently going through tough times.

A daily line of volunteers is standing outside the gate at Eurostar with their blue and yellow plackards announcing that they are there to help refugees. A welcome sign with hearts displays open arms into Britain.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Doyle sends another note of thanks to chaplains for their ongoing care for her staff. It’s what we do.

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Railway Mission in print Railway Mission was quick off the mark when it came to publicity. Founded in November 1881, by August 1882 it was publishing a monthly magazine, the Railway Signal.

The objective was to distribute this to all 400,000 plus railway men, and the 1900 Annual Report claimed that ‘about 400,000 copies had been circulated during the year.’ The 1931 Jubilee Meetings were informed “that it has now found its way to almost every civilised country of the world.” Its annual circulation was then 247,224. By 1949 the aim was that “every Christian railwayman and woman shall be a regular reader of the Railway Signal,’ although the circulation had then fallen to 8,000 per month.

In the early years of the Mission each issue had pages listing ‘Services for Railway Men’ advertising Sunday services and other meetings. Many were held on railway premises and provided for those whose duties prevented them from attending church on Sunday. These were superceded by separate Annual Reports that carried notice of meetings branch by branch.

The design of the front page changed every few years. The headline article might be a short biography of a Mission worker, or a prominent supporter. In other years the page followed the convention of contemporary newspapers with advertisements. Much of the content was consistent from month to month with some topics

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having their own column or page every month. Examples included:‘Lights along the Line,’ reports from branches across the nation. Many were encouraging accounts of ‘times of blessing’ with many ‘deciding for Christ,’ annual conferences with inspiring preachers or ‘Gospel Temperance’ rallies.

Absolutely consistent were a Children’s page, and ‘Notes on Scripture Union Portions.’ Scripture reading was also encouraged by a Bible quiz, the results from which, complete with the names of contestants, were published in a following edition.

Usually there was a serialised Christian story, and a regular contributor was Grace Pettman a well-known writer of the time. Many recounted the journey through life of an individual or a couple that led to conversion and healed relationships.

‘News from Other Lands’ told of missionary work across the globe, particularly among railway men.

Alongside this was ‘Railway News’ a fascinating compendium of facts, figures and illustrations from across the continents telling of powerful new locomotives that crossed awesome new bridges.

‘Temperance Notes’ strongly advocated total abstinence as per this snippet from 1935. “‘Beware of the Step Down as you enter’ the wording of a warning notice placed at the door of licensed victualler’s premises, speaks for itself and should cause all who enter to Stop, Think and Listen.”

Other regulars included: Music – complete with tune and words, and ‘Not lost but gone before’ – affirming the future hope and celebrating the lives of those who had died.

The Railway Signal found its way into all manner of railway workplaces distributed by evangelists and Signal Agents as the core of the Mission’s communications.

Dudley Clark, May 2022

Illustrations: Facing page:: Perhaps the best designed masthead; depicting much of railway life, The train is clearly based on the LBSC Railway” [Filename: Rly Sig Masthead.jpg] This page:: “A cover advert promoting sales of musical instruments” [Filename: Rsig 1904 cover advert v2.jpg]

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Post-Incident Support Report Available now at our website Railway Mission chaplaincy covers many aspects of railway workers’ lives and wellbeing, from the joyful to traumatic, from the dramatic to the praiseworthy.

One of the areas in which we specialise is Post-Incident Chaplaincy Support.

This involves following up rail incidents such as suicides or attempted suicides, by supporting the staff who have a direct or indirect involvement; as first responders; or as staff on stations where incidents take place; or as train crew affected by incidents.

The Post-Incident Support Report gives an idea of the kinds of expertise offered by chaplains as they provide wellbeing support and care to staff and officers who have been engaged in the processes of the incident.

The data in the report has been submitted, collected and collated by Railway Mission staff and provides an overall picture of the depth of

involvement following each incident recorded.

The report covers all reported incidents during the year 2021, compiled from incident reports submitted by chaplains who provide a high level of professional support. All follow up is confidential, impartial and independent, and is, in general, well received, and, in some cases, even expected these days, by rail staff.

Access to the report is available at our website.

www.railwaymission.org

Railway Mission Publications

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Helen Lewis

South & Mid Wales & The Marches

During the past year in the South, Mid and West Wales area, I have been able to start forming some really valuable relationships with staff on the rail network. Please pray for the continuing development of these relationships and also the opportunity to build more connections with those I've yet to encounter.

Coming in the aftermath of the Covid-19 disruptions, the forthcoming changes within the rail industry are also causing worry and anxiety amongst many staff.

Please pray for them as they await news about their future and for us as chaplains as we seek to support and help them.

Andrea Smyth

London North, ARL, Chiltern, Avanti, Eurostar, GTR, TfL North

The needs I see at the moment, regarding staff in my area, mostly centre around: the challenges of adjusting to constantly varying staffing levels; changing train timetables; balancing the needs of family with pressures of work; any mental health challenges carried over from the lockdowns etc.

This is all on top of concerns affecting our nation as a whole, and concerns overseas as well. Please pray that staff

will take the opportunity to support one another, regardless of where they are in the hierarchy of their organisation. And that RM chaplains can continue to be part of that support too.

Stephen Rowe

Area Manager London & The South, TfL Central

Chaplains were asked by BTP to support their officers as Ukrainian refugees entered London via Eurostar at St Pancras International. This also means working with Camden Council welcome teams who were processing entries and helping accommodate refugees via their Triage Centre.

BTP were mainly present to guard refugees from a variety of opportunists who could potentially take advantage of their vulnerability. This reception of refugees is ongoing, so please pray for the safe passage of displaced Ukrainians, and for the staff assisting them.

Please also pray for Ukrainian families that have been separated by war, that they will get through this time of trouble, and be reunited.

Alan Thorpe

Bristol Temple Meades

The relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions has meant an increase in Rail passengers. A recent spell of unseasonably warm and sunny weather

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks…

saw hundreds of people coming to the seaside at Weston-super-Mare station, and meant exceptionally crowded platforms.

Though in good spirits, most daytrippers accepted the situation, but some, who were a little worse for wear, began to make nuisances of themselves.

I was supporting the platform staff, and when the rowdy ones saw the words ‘Chaplain’ and ‘Rev’ on my name badge they quietened down and started asking questions. OK – questions were just of novelty value, but nonetheless, a good opportunity to speak a 'word in season.’

Consequently, a lot of my time is spent with mid-level managers such as station, driver and conductor managers. Give thanks for a real openness and welcome to work with us, and to use chaplains to support the welfare work that is going on.

I’d also ask you to pray for a number of the chaplaincy team who have had Covid over recent months, and still struggling with long term effects, including tiredness which can cause challenges, as the physical demands on the team are quite high.

Philip Brawn

Greater Manchester & The North West

Mike Roberts

North West, North Wales, Liverpool

At the moment, the analogy of spinning plates seems to be very relevant, with priorities around recovering passenger numbers, saving money, increasing reliability, preparing for Great British Railway, increasing reliability and punctuality – all alongside the post Covid-19 challenges which mean there are still huge staff issues around training and recruiting staff as well as managing absence levels that, in some places, are still above 20%.

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Please pray for all those who mourn, particularly considering May 22 just passed when we remembered the events of the arena bombing in Manchester.

This year marked the fifth anniversary and understandably there are people who are still grieving their loved ones as well as the traumatic experience of that day.

Pray that there will be healing and for people to experience the peace and comfort of the Lord Jesus.

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Dereck Grant North Scotland

As a railway chaplain, I have come to realise how important my support to the rail industry has been over the last few months. After all, people have many issues in life, and a compassionate listening ear can make a big difference to someone’s life.

For example, over the last few months I have supported people facing financial issues, mental health issues, physical health issues, even someone with a traumatic childbirth.

At the same time, ScotRail lost a member of staff who passed away recently, so I was able to support members of staff. I even helped my work colleagues out by stepping in to take part in a VE Day service at Glasgow Central Station which was so important for the station staff and veterans alike.

Andrew Hall

Area Manager North, West Midlands, Avanti, Chiltern

We have recently said goodbye to Johanna, who has taken up an exciting role within the NHS in Scotland. We will also be saying goodbye to Phil, who will be pursuing his Baptist Ministry training. We pray for God’s blessing as they move forward in His will.

This puts us back into the recruitment process. Please pray that the Lord will

direct His people to apply and that the panel will rightly discern His anointed.

The industry is in the process of great change with all the attendant issues.

Please pray that, as chaplains, we may see His guidance in our endeavours and witness the spread of the light of the Gospel.

Helen Bartlett

North East, Newcastle

Last time I wrote, I included Psalm 23 the quietness and restorative nature of God. Holidaying in the Lakes, my husband rescued a lost lamb on the hills. We gave it food, kept it safe and secure then handed it back to the farmer. That’s what we do for people on the railway: we listen, give safety and security and try to bring some help and transformation which can be hard work.

After a trouble-free period, I have found myself with a suicide from the Durham viaduct, a vulnerable youngster on a railway roof and a sudden death of an American holidaymaker taken off at a station. We are all in need of the love and support of the Good Shepherd.

Angela Levitt-Harwood

Great Northern, LNER, York to Kings Cross London

Last month I was invited to represent Railway Mission at two events which took place at the Mansion House in York

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks…

and which were arranged by the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress.

job security, and pressures on corporate and personal finances.

One was to express thanks for the work of chaplaincy in the city over the last two years and it was attended by a large number of chaplains from many different sectors including police, school, agriculture, racehorse and university amongst others.

Amidst the increasing levels of anxiety, fear, along with the threat of industrial action, please pray for the chaplains as we continue to be an impartial listening ear, and agents of hope and peace in these uncertain times.

I was asked to speak about the work of Railway Mission and it was a good opportunity to share more about the service we provide as an organisation.

As a consequence, I was invited to the second event celebrating the input of mental health professionals to the community during the Covid pandemic.

It was humbling to hear about some of the work that others have been doing over this time. Some, it has to be said, with great sacrifice. It was good to get the word out about our particular area of support.

John Roe

Great Western Railway, Paddington, TfL West

With the removal of most restrictions on visiting railway staff in their workplace – stations, offices, depots – it is good to share face-to-face once more, with staff at all levels, and listen to their stories of how things are at the moment.

A common theme for conversation concerns the uncertainty of the future of the railways, as it relates to job roles,

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Christopher Henley

South West Railway, Waterloo to the South Coast, TfL South West

I recently conducted the ceremony at the Waterloo Victory Arch 100th Anniversary commemoration. Victory Arch commemorates the Railway men who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

It was wonderful to see so many from Network Rail, South Western Railway and the British Transport Police coming together to support each other. Coming together to talk about our experiences and feelings; particularly the challenges we face is incredibly important.

I have had many conversations with our railway family who find it so rewarding to just talk. Please take every opportunity to have a chat, ideally over a cuppa.

Sometimes, simply talking helps…

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Michele Ashton

London East, Anglia, Abellio East Anglia, c2c, TfL East

As we turn a corner and restrictions are lifted regarding Covid-19, I'm delighted to say that the drop-in with coffee and cake, once a month in Cambridge station has resumed.

The drop-in was originally set up as a prayer meeting by a staff member and I soon realised this was not meeting the needs of the staff as a prayer meeting, so it was changed to a drop-in. Worries and concerns are shared with me and prayer is offered with Railway Mission leaflets and New Testaments available.

Station managers welcome the support and I am keen for it to continue.

This meeting has being supported financially by St Barnabas’s church in Cambridge over a number of years and as my contact has left the church to work in another part of the country I am looking for a church member to be able to continue this valuable link.

A Train Operations Manager on the underground is also looking to set up drop-ins and with the success of Cambridge, I hope to set up regular drop-ins at main stations throughout Anglia.

drop-in

Cambridge Railway Station

for a coffee and a chat

Colin Fraser

East Midlands Railway, London St Pancras

I have been recently involved in mental health awareness projects at different locations on my patch.

During these events people were encouraged to stop and take stock of how they are doing and to ask a colleague how they are.

These statements were made to predominately male audiences, and were corporality met with sighs and rolling of the eyes, giving the impression that men don't really care about mental health. The subsequent conversations I had with individuals after these events would say otherwise.

Please pray for the breaking down of the stigma around mental health especially within men.

John Robinson

Southern, Gatwick Express, GTR & TfL for Southern Routes

I mentioned in a previous prayer letter about my attempt to build relationships with the Stewarts Lane Engineering Depot in the Southern Railway area. I asked for prayer support and I am very grateful that I have now been offered an induction to the depot, with chaplaincy opportunities to follow.

Thank you for ongoing prayer support for us, as Chaplains, especially at this

Vector: GDJ for pixabay

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks…

time when many railway staff are anxious about the future of their job roles and our independent, confidential service is available to many who need to talk about their fears.

Dylis George

Southeastern, GTR for South Eastern routes, TfL South

It continues to be a joy to stand shoulder to shoulder with Railway staff in these times of uncertainty.

There has been an increase in fatalities on the Kent route since the start of the year. Ongoing chaplaincy support to Mobile Operation Managers, Signallers, Drivers and their Managers, Station staff and the BTP has been the main thrust for me.

We keep praying for God’s peace to rule the hearts of many that they will cope with the adverse conditions confronting them. As we forge ahead into the year, we sincerely look forward to a decline in the rate of suicide on the railway.

Grateful for your continued prayer support for God’s strength and wisdom as I carry the fragrance and the hope of God into our Railway industry.

www.railwaymission.org

Confidential Impartial Independent

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Adopt a chaplain!

Why not ‘adopt’ and support one of our chaplains with a donation to Railway Mission? Or join our prayer supporters in upholding chaplains as they go about their work?

By making a donation, you will enable chaplains to continue in their full or part-time ministry to rail staff across England, Scotland and Wales.

You can locate the chaplain that serves your local area at railwaymission.org/ find-a-chaplain.

Pictured: Chaplain Angela Levitt-Harwood, based in Hull, serving the North East.

Scan this link to the donation page for Railway Mission

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Free wills extension

alisadyson for pixabay

Lydia Paine writes, “In March of this year, we partnered with fellow railway charity the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) to create a joint legacy giving campaign, which was kindly supported by the Retired Rail Officers Society. The free will writing service was supplied

by Bequeathed, whose accredited legal firms donate up to 30 minutes of their time to help users make their will.

charge, that will help ensure your ‘will’ is their choice.”

Users of the free will writing service were given the option to leave a gift in their will for a charity of their choice.

There was, of course, no obligation for users to include Railway Mission or RBF in their will, but legacy giving is a fantastic way to support charities.

Whether it is a donation, or a percentage of an estate, it ensures that Railway Mission and RBF can continue to support the railway family going through difficult times whenever they need them.

Claire Houghton, CEO of the Railway Benefit Fund, said:

Liam Johnston Executive Director of Railway Mission, said: “In 2020 research from Canada Life revealed that three in five (59%) of UK adults have not written a will. This equates to 31 million people, whose property, financial and other assets could be left to someone they have not chosen when they die. Railway Mission is delighted to be able to help the railway family write a will, free of

Our charities saw an incredible take up from the industry. Over 1,000 people registered to create a free will, with a total of £22,000 left as gifts.

The will writing company reported that the take up from this campaign was 20% higher than all other charity will months combined.

“We are amazed at the incredible take up we saw during March and are delighted to be able to extend our free will writing service for a year. We’d also like to thank everyone who has made a donation or left a legacy when creating their will – this support enables our charities to be there for the Railway Family long into the future.”

Due to this incredible success, Railway Mission and RBF have made the decision to extend the service for another year, so that even more people in the industry could create a will for free. If you have not yet taken advantage of the free will writing service, head over to our website www.railwaymission.org/make-afree-will-month.”

Lydia Paine is Marketing Manager for Railway Mission

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Support on life’s journey Six ways to support Railway Mission chaplains

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Cheque or Postal Order

A one-off or regular donation by Cheque or Postal Photo: Mikhail Nilov for pexels Order sent to: Railway Mission, Rugby Station, Rugby, CV213LA.

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Standing Order

A one-off or regular donation through your bank.

Email our Administrator for more information: office@railwaymission.org.

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Web Donation

A one-off or regular donation through our website. Visit www.railwaymission.org, and click on the Donate page, where you will find easy-tofollow directions.

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Wills & Legacy

To include us in your will, our charity name is Railway Mission, our charity number in England & Wales is 1128024, and in Scotland is SCO45897.

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Gift Aid as an extra

UK taxpayers can claim 25% on donations via HMRC, as long as you can meet their conditions and complete, sign and return a Gift Aid form to us.

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Payroll Giving*

Because every donation is taken from your gross pay, every pound you give will only cost you 80p, or only 60p if you are a higher rate taxpayer.

www.railwaymission.org/donate

www.railwaymission.org

in partnership with

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Your donation takes us further…

Here is my gift of £10 I enclose a cheque

£15 postal order

£20

Other £ made payable to Railway Mission

Yes, I would like to make regular donations Title

First Name

Surname

Address Postcode

Telephone

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Regular standing orders help us support staff more effectively Please fill out your details above and we’ll get in touch to let you know how you can be even more involved in supporting rail staff through the valuable work of Railway Mission.

We’ll never share your details with other organisations We’d like to let you know how your donations are helping us support rail staff, and how Railway Mission is making a difference in the industry. You can opt out at any point by simply letting us know through our contact details below.

Please complete and return this form with your donation to: Administrator, Railway Mission, Room 66, Rugby Railway Station, Warwickshire, CV21 3LA

Make your gift worth 25% more at no extra cost to you!

I am a UK taxpayer and I would like Railway Mission to treat all donations I have made now and in the future as Gift Aid until I notify otherwise.

Signature …………………………………………………………………………………………. Date……………………………

I confirm that I have paid income/capital gains tax at least equal to the amounts of gifts made to all charities and Amateur Sports Clubs in the same tax year as the donation has been made. I understand that VAT and Council Tax do not qualify.

Railway Mission is a registered charity in England and Wales (1128024) and in Scotland (SCO45897).

A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (06519565).

Railway Mission

Room 66 • Rugby Railway Station • Warwickshire CV21 3LA www.railwaymission.org • office@railwaymission.org • 07718 971 919 Support on life’s journey

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Support on life’s journey

They helped me through the hard times…