| It’s an event that would make the charity’s founding members proud - the Railway Benefit Fund is holding a special Victorian dinner in October to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
The event will not only pay tribute to one of the charity’s first patrons, Charles Dickens, but resurrect the charity’s 19th century tradition of using railway dinners to raise much needed funds for the organisation.
David Allen, Chairman of the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) said: “We are delighted to invite the railway industry to help us celebrate our 150th anniversary at a special Victorian themed fundraising dinner in October. The event will not only mark our 150th birthday, but, by raising much needed funds, allow us to continue providing help and support to railway employees past and present and their families, in the future.”
Diners will be transported back to 19th century Britain at the prestigious black tie event with street merchants, vagabonds, wenches and aristocrats intermingling with guests and a range of activities planned to recreate Victorian Britain. This will be achieved by holding the event at The Brewery, London on Wednesday 15 October 2008.
Attendees will also enjoy a four-course meal in the Grade II listed building with fundraising activities and musical entertainment creating a night to remember.
The Victorian dinner will be one of the highlights of the RBF’s 150th anniversary celebrations, which also include a golf tournament. A family day and a special trip on a steam train are also planned.
These events are intended not only to mark the 150th milestone, but to raise more awareness within the railway community of the charity which was established in 1858 “to provide some form of care and financial aid to needy railway personnel”.
Today the Railway Benefit Fund is the only charity in the UK dedicated to helping active and retired railway worker and their families.
During 2007 the RBF helped over 700 people in need by providing grants for a huge range of necessities including educational costs for dependent children, emergency payments in times of financial distress or domestic crisis, mobility aids and help with funeral costs.
With the latest figures showing 74,588 people currently living on a rail pension of less than £50 per week, the charity also provides much needed financial assistance and support to railway pensioners across Britain.
| 
