Railway Benefit Fund - Current News

Tee Time! It’s the Railway Benefit Fund’s Annual Golf Day Final chance to enter a team - 23 February 2010

News Release Up to 25 teams of rail industry golfers will take part in the Railway Benefit Fund’s annual Golf Day this year, which will take place at the Hendon Golf Club on Thursday 6 May. Teams of four from companies throughout the industry will compete for the Barlow cup, which will be presented by former British Rail chairman Sir Bob Reid at the post tournament dinner. The event to raise funds for the railway charity will tee off at 11.00 with a shotgun start. It’s a Stableford team competition, with the best two scores on each hole counting for the team. According to RBF chairman, David Allen, this popular event has space for one or two extra teams. “Don’t miss it, it promises to be a fun day,” said David. “Entry to the competition costs Ł550,” he explained. “This includes sponsorship and dinner. It will be a great day for golfers of all ability and will hopefully raise plenty of funds for the charity. “Among other things, we will be selling ‘Mulligans’ - a shot retaken without penalty when a player makes a bad shot - at Ł5 each with a maximum of two per player. Not a bad way to tidy up the card and a popular way of raising a bit more cash,” David added. “As well as playing for the cup, there will also be prizes for runners up, the straightest drive and nearest the pin.” The RBF is the only charity in the UK solely devoted to helping railway people in need. Every year it gives grants worth some Ł500,000, but it needs more donations to continue its work. For details of the RBF Golf Day contact the charity’s Crewe headquarters on 01270 251316. Ends Notes for editors About the Railway Benefit Fund The Railway Benefit Fund is a charity for railway people funded by railway people. It was founded to provide support to railway staff (active and retired) and their dependants when they needed help through illness, injury, bereavement, or adversity. It offers help in the following ways: Annuities and care grants to meet any shortfall in nursing home fees, supporting disabled people with the costs of powered vehicles and making life easier for them by providing mobility aids about the home • Covering the shortfalls in funeral expenses • Providing child care grants to parents who are suffering long term sickness or who have had to retire early through ill health • Helping with the costs of higher education, equipment, school clothing etc. for parents with financial problems The Railway Benevolent Institution is a registered charity No.206312, founded in 1858. It was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1949 and has a working name of the Railway Benefit Fund since February 2006. This release was sent on behalf of The Railway Benefit Fund by Woodhouse Communications. For more information, please contact Vicky Leek on 01444 221000 or at Vicky@woodhousecommunications.co.uk About the Rail Variety Show The RBF is holding its annual fundraising dinner at the Sheraton, Park Lane, London in spring 2010. The Rail Variety Show will take place on Wednesday 28 April in the art deco splendour of the hotel’s Ballroom. Supported by DB Schenker, the UK’s largest rail freight haulier, the evening promises to be a modern take on the traditional British variety show. Tickets are available at Ł199 a head from Woodhouse. Call 01444 221000 for details or go to the RBF’s website: http://www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/eventsDetail.php?events_id=35.

Railway’s own marathon man aims high for rail charity - 17 February 2010

	‘Railway Runner’ calls to industry to help raise thousands for Railway Benefit Fund Experienced marathon runner Graham Meiklejohn is planning to break his personal best for the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) at the 2010 London Marathon. A proud supporter of the rail industry’s own charity, Graham, Head of Communications with rail freight haulier DB Schenker, explained that he is determined to not only break his record time to complete the 26mile, 385 yard course but also his record fund raising effort. He said: “I have completed two London Marathons and many other shorter distances over the years. My fund raising best in the London Marathon last year was Ł6,000 for the Maggie’s cancer care centres,” he said. “It would be marvellous if the rail industry were able, through me taking on the challenge of the London Marathon, to help raise over Ł10k for the Railway Benefit Fund.” Graham has worked on the railway for over 12 years, joining Railtrack in 1997, before moving to EWS (now DB Schenker) in 2000. He’s delighted to be given the chance to run the Marathon for the only charity to offer help exclusively to Britain’s rail industry. “It’s an honour to be the ‘railway’s runner’,” he said, “and to support a charity with an illustrious past but still with such relevance today.” “It is a great pity that even in the 21st century some elements of society need the support of a charity founded in Victorian times, but the fact is the Railway Benefit Fund is providing vital help to over 500 railway people in this country every year. “I hope people throughout the rail industry will support those people by sponsoring me.” And his personal best time? Graham, sensibly, makes no promises. “My target for this year is a time somewhere under four hours. It would be great to pass the finishing line well under that time but so much depends upon the weather conditions. “Far more important than time is the amount of money we raise for railway people in need throughout Britain.” To support Graham’s railway industry fund raising Marathon run, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/therailwayrunner Photo: David Allen, RBF chairman and Graham Meiklejohn. Ends About the Railway Benefit Fund The Railway Benevolent Institution is a registered charity No.206312, founded in 1858. It was incorporated by royal charter in 1949 and has a working name of the Railway Benefit Fund since February 2006. The RBF is a charity for railway people funded by railway people. It was founded to provide support to railway staff (active and retired) and their dependants when they needed help through illness, injury, bereavement, or adversity. It offers help in the following ways: Annuities and care grants to meet any shortfall in nursing home fees supporting disabled people with the costs of powered vehicles and making life easier for them by providing mobility aids about the home  Covering the shortfalls in funeral expenses  Providing child care grants to parents who are suffering long term sickness or who have had to retire early through ill health  Helping with the costs of higher education, equipment, school clothing etc. for parents with financial problems This release was sent on behalf of The Railway Benefit Fund by Woodhouse Communications. For more information, please contact Vicky Leek on 01444 221000 or at Vicky@woodhousecommunications.co.uk About the Rail Variety Show The RBF is holding its annual fundraising dinner at the Sheraton, Park Lane, London in spring 2010. The Rail Variety Show will take place on Wednesday 28 April in the art deco splendour of the hotel’s Ballroom. Supported by DB Schenker, the UK’s largest rail freight haulier, the evening promises to be a modern take on the traditional British variety show. Tickets are available at Ł199 a head from Woodhouse. Call 01444 221000 for details or go to the RBF’s website: http://www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/eventsDetail.php?events_id=35. About DB Schenker DB Schenker is one of the leading international providers of integrated logistics services. It provides support to the industry and trade in land operations, in worldwide air and ocean freight, and in all the associated logistics services. DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd is an established major provider of a range of rail services in Britain.

RAILWAY BENEFIT FUND RAISES OVER Ł20,000 ON EBAY - 21 January 2010

	News Release Date: 21 January 2010 Railway Benefit Fund Raises Over Ł20,000 on Ebay Harold Wainwright, a former railway man, has raised over Ł21,500 for the Railway Benefit Fund by selling items of rail memorabilia on Ebay. Harold, who started fundraising in September 2006, has now sold some 4,000 items through the site. The most popular items among collectors are anything on the subject of steam while badges also seem to be a favourite. Other items that have been sold include operating publications, working timetables, ties, hardware such as dining items and even out of date uniforms. Harold lists most items at a starting price of Ł1, however he achieved a record sale with a rare yardmaster’s cap badge, in the North Eastern colours, which went for an amazing Ł315. As Harold says: “It’s interesting to see just how much interest there is out there. As long as friends and ex-colleagues keep donating items, I am happy to sell them for the benefit of the RBF.” Items mainly come from retired railway people who, after a lifetime of service in the industry, have a number of collectable items they are happy to donate. Alan Marshall, chairman of the midland area committee, Railway Benefit Fund, said: “It really is incredible what Harold has achieved and we hope his efforts will inspire others to get involved in this kind of fundraising, whether it be selling or donating items. “The money raised will really be able to make a difference to the work we do at the Railway Benefit Fund and of course buyers can get their hands on some sought after memorabilia in the name of a good cause.” If you have any items or railway memorabilia you would like to donate to the RBF, please contact Margaret Skerratt on 01270 251316 or at MSkerratt@railwaybenefitfund.org.uk . Notes for editors The Railway Benevolent Institution is a registered charity No.206312, founded in 1858. It was incorporated by royal charter in 1949 and has a working name of the Railway Benefit Fund since February 2006. The RBF is a charity for railway people funded by railway people. It was founded to provide support to railway staff (active and retired) and their dependants when they needed help through illness, injury, bereavement, or adversity. It offers help in the following ways: Annuities and care grants to meet any shortfall in nursing home fees supporting disabled people with the costs of powered vehicles and making life easier for them by providing mobility aids about the home Ř Covering the shortfalls in funeral expenses Ř Providing child care grants to parents who are suffering long term sickness or who have had to retire early through ill health Ř Helping with the costs of higher education, equipment, school clothing etc. for parents with financial problems This release was sent on behalf of The Railway Benefit Fund by Woodhouse Communications. For more information, please contact Vicky Leek on 01444 221000 or at Vicky@woodhousecommunications.co.uk pr: events: publications: internal communications: web services: design: ------------------------------------------ Tel 01444 221000 DD 01444 221006 Mob 07747 150365 Fax 01444 473599 ------------------------------------------ Progress House 141 Western Road Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 3LH

Railway Benefit Fund Releases Film - 11 September 2009

	News Release The Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), a charity which provides advice, support and financial assistance to railway employees and their families, has today released its appeal film to raise awareness and generate funds. Narrated by Richard Wilson OBE, acclaimed actor and the fund’s vice president since 2007, the film provides background information on the RBF and footage of some of the families it has helped. David Allen, RBF chairman, says: “Times are hard for everyone at the moment, and especially so for charities. With the current economic climate, we are receiving less income at a time when people need help the most. At the moment we are able to help one person every day, but each year hundreds of railway workers are struggling to cope with issues such as long-term illness, mental and physical disabilities, debt and housing problems. Which is why we need to continue to create awareness of the scale of the problems people are facing.” The film, which is just over five minutes long, features three interviews with people the charity has helped in recent years. The first introduces Chris, a conductor, who lost both his brother and sister within a few weeks of each other. Struggling to cope with the shock of losing two close family members and the cost of two funerals, the RBF helped Chris with grant to assist with the cost of the funerals. The second features Alex, a retired signalman, and his wife Edna who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. As Edna’s condition worsened she was finding climbing the stairs to the only toilet in their house impossible and was facing a 12-month waiting list for help from the Council. To help, the RBF paid for a stair lift to be installed immediately. The third concludes with Billy and his son Eddie who suffers from severe learning difficulties and autism. To help Billy’s family communicate more easily with Eddie, the RBF gave a grant to send Eddie to a specialist treatment centre in the USA, which has subsequently brought the family closer together. Allen concludes: “The film is a great example not only of the different types of grants we can offer, but of the difference our help has made to people’s lives. In these difficult times we need donations more than ever to be able to continue to offer this support.” The RBF recently raised in excess of Ł18,000 at its third Scottish dinner, held at the end of August, which only goes a small way towards meeting the Ł500,000 annual cost of helping railway families. To view an excerpt of the film, please visit http://www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/ or to obtain a copy please contact, Vicky Leek at Woodhouse Communications on 01444 221000. Notes to editors: Please find attached low res jpegs showing the families and individuals who feature in the film. For high res copies or further images please contact Vicky Leek on 01444 221000 or email vicky@woodhousecommunications.co.uk The Railway Benevolent Institution is a registered charity No.206312, founded in 1858, with Charles Dickens one of its early patrons. They were incorporated by royal charter in 1949 and have a working name of the Railway Benefit Fund since February 2006. The RBF is a charity for railway people funded by railway people. It was founded to provide support to railway staff (active and retired) and their dependants when they needed help through illness, injury, bereavement, or adversity. It offers help in the following ways: Ř Annuities where there is low income. Ř Helping disabled people with the costs of powered vehicles and making life easier for them by providing mobility aids Ř Covering the shortfalls in funeral expenses Ř Child care grants to help with the costs of higher education, equipment, school clothing etc. for parents with financial problems. Ř Helping with the costs of higher education, equipment, school clothing etc. for parents with financial problems Woodhouse Communications issued this release on behalf of the RBF. For more information contact Vicky Leek of Woodhouse Communications on 01444 473588 or email vicky@woodhousecommunications.co.uk