Railway colleagues have smashed their fundraising target for a youth charity after a series of events, including a team taking part in a 90-mile cycle ride.
Twenty-two Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) workers from Stevenage, Hitchin, Huntingdon, Royston, London and Croydon braved the pouring rain, wind and cold to take part in The Prince’s Trust Palace to Palace ride earlier this month. The colleagues were keen to raise money for the charity after seeing first-hand how the organisation helps young people get into work.
In total they raised an impressive £13,205 after having set themselves a target of at least £5,000. Colleagues across the GTR network also supported the fundraising by holding bake sales and a raffle.
GTR’s Chief Executive Officer Patrick Verwer said: “We’re delighted to have raised so much for such a worthy cause. This year also marks the five-year anniversary of GTR’s partnership with The Prince’s Trust and our ‘Get into Railways’ programme, which offers young people placements on the railway. It is hugely rewarding to see young people take part in this course, watch their confidence grow and ultimately reward many of them with a job.”
Stevenage Station Manager Marc Edwards added: “The bike ride was a big challenge, but we were spurred on in the knowledge that we would be helping even more young people with fresh starts in life. £13,205 is a phenomenal amount to have raised. We never thought we would have raised that much. Hopefully in the future, I will get to work with some of the young people we’re supporting and be able to call them my colleagues.”
The 90-mile ride saw GTR colleagues set off from Buckingham Palace on October 6, taking in Richmond Park and the Surrey countryside before reaching their destination, Windsor Castle.
For more information on the latest group of young people to take part in a GTR placement, visit: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-thameslink-railway/pressreleases/12-young-people-thrilled-to-land-jobs-at-govia-thameslink-railway-2885448
Photo credit: Govia Thameslink Railway
