SOUTHEASTERN 'POPPY 395' RAISES OVER £45,000 FOR CHARITY
Published at 00:00 on Friday 27th May 2016
Tags: Southeastern, Royal British Legion, Class 395, Charity
Javelin Class 395 EMU No. 395015, with its driving cars proudly wearing their Remembrance Day poppies, passes Lenham Heath on 9th December 2015 with the 10:53 Margate - St Pancras International service. Phil Beard
A Southeastern Class 395, branded with the Royal British Legion poppy, has now raised a total of more than £45,000 for the charity.
For the past two years, the commemorative train has undertaken a number of special charter workings, taking passengers on routes over which the type are not normally seen, ahead of Remembrance Sunday, with all ticket money going to the legion.
The fund-raising trips - which have been organised by Kent Evenden, Driver Manager at High Speed Services, and Andy Harding, 395 Fleet Engineering Manager - started in 2014 to commemorate the start of the First World War. Last year's working on 7th November - took 250 people on a round trip from London through Kent, visiting Eastbourne.
After totalling all the money raised since the fundraising efforts were started two years ago, an amazing £45,542.60 has been raised for the charity. Andy and Kent are now looking towards later this year – as they hope to run another train in November. Details will be released once this has been arranged.
Claire Rowcliffe, Head of Regional Fundraising for The Royal British Legion, said: “We are extremely grateful to Kent and Andy, and everyone at Southeastern Railway, for their continued efforts and support which helps the Legion to provide its wealth of services. We hope to keep our partnership strong for many years to come as we continue to help keep alive the memory of the fallen and support the future of the living.”
