Freight train driver Heather Waugh has announced details of an epic fundraiser that will see 43 railway colleagues walk 7,702 miles to raise funds for GVI Cambodia. She explains more
“The greatest fundraising team ever seen in rail”. That is how Freightliner freight driver Heather Waugh has described the 46 people signed up to walk 7,702 miles to conclude the 2023/24 Railway Family Fundraiser.
This year’s appeal has already raised more than £30,000 for Global Vision International (GVI) and its community development programme in Cambodia, through a prize draw of more than 60 unique prizes donated by more than 50 rail organisations.
Heather, who founded The Railway Family Fundraiser in 2021 with Natasha Hanson, who previously worked at Direct Rail Services, with the aim to create an event that united people right across the industry, and raised spirits. In 2022, the event raised more than £25,000 for British Ukrainian Aid, with the latest one having already surpassed that total.
With Heather due to be handing over this year’s fundraising next month, she thought it might be a good idea to pull together a group of rail industry workers to walk the equivalent distance of the journey from the UK to Cambodia.
“While I hope it raises a huge amount of money, I actually see it as another opportunity to create a really positive railway family event, bringing people together,” she said. “Too often we find reasons to judge people, or see differences.
“Our events have always been aimed at breaking down those barriers and bringing people together, from every background and our fundraising team is a nod to that with everyone together, everyone equal. A simple message that our industry will always come together for a worthy cause.”
The team is made up of everyone from managing directors, union reps, and enthusiasts through to station staff, passengers and train cleaning crew. This includes LNER’s Managing Director David Horne, Porterbrook’s Chief Executive Officer Mary Grant, and Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway Alex Hynes.
Heather added: “As well as raising money that will change and save lives, and leave a lasting legacy, this team is also sharing a very special message. That message is that our industry is full of wonderful people at every level, who will always come together for a worthy cause.
“In every walk of life, we often choose to make assumptions and judgements on people, without ever knowing them. The people that make up this fundraising have all shown me kindness, support, encouragement, or friendship and now we are all coming together to help others.”
GVI Charitable Programmes raises and manages funds to organise and support community led, conservation and sustainable development projects around the world, with multiple stakeholders which must include local nongovernmental organisations and community-based organisation, and international partners.
All projects must have a clearly described development theory plan, with measurable outputs, outcomes, and longitudinal long-term impacts, and a sustainability plan which details the exit goal, method, strategy, and timeline.
Cambodia was decided for the latest Railway Family Fundraiser after co-founders Heather and Natasha, along with Debbie Francis OBE (Managing Director of Loram UK) went on a volunteering trip together through GVI. Debbie and Natasha signed up to teaching Buddhist monks English, while Heather signed up to a women’s empowerment programme.
“We had no idea how much these incredible people would touch us and witnessing first-hand the legacy that the Vietnam War had on Cambodia, leading to the rise of the Khmer Rouge, and one of the worst genocides in world history,” said Heather. “Over two million English speaking and educated Cambodians were murdered – wiping out almost every teacher, doctor and scientist the country had. It left a country without the means to educate itself, or its children, and plunged it into decades of poverty and isolation.
“Today, Cambodia is full of the most passionate and insightful people, who are determined to bring education to every child and adult. The money we raise will go towards schools who want to provide free education and food to every child. Just £1,200 pays for a teacher for a year.
“The money will go towards educating monks, who will teach their entire communities. And it will also support the incredible work being carried out in women’s empowerment, where just £50 can provide a woman with education and a trade, giving them independence and helping them out of poverty and, in many cases, situations involving domestic violence.
“The potential impact of the fundraising is perfectly summarised by Railway Chaplain Mike Roberts, who said ‘fifty years from now, a woman could stand in the Parliament of Cambodia, 6,000 miles away, and speak of a future for that country, because you gave a donation’.”
The money raised by the Railway Family Fundraiser will create significant and last change. It will enable people to take themselves, and their families, out of poverty.
For more details, or to donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/railwayfamily
