The rail operator was thrilled to announce the fantastic amount raised due to fundraising activities which both customers and colleagues supported.

London North Eastern Railway‘s partnership with Campaign Against Living Miserably began less than four years ago. The incredible amount raised will aid the charity‘s amazing work in helping prevent suicide via its life-saving helpline.

Over the past two years, the Campaign Against Living Miserably has seen unparalleled demand for its service.

Through Delay Repay compensation, customers have kindly donated £196,997, and they have also given credit which they have collected via London North Eastern Railway’s loyalty scheme – LNER Perks.

London North Eastern Railway’s staff members have also been extremely focused on fundraising via an array of events including the Edinburgh and Leeds Half Marathon and the rail operators’ Director’s taking part in the Campaign Against Living Miserably’s primary event the ‘Lost Hours Walk’ which launched back in 2019.

Throughout the pandemic, London North Eastern Railway launched its ‘Cooking for CALM‘ cookbook alongside releasing a range of regionally inspired face masks which saw proceeds go to the charity.

Two auctions of retired InterCity 125 nameplates in 2020 and 2021 saw rail enthusiasts bid to raise over £50,000 for the charity and to own their very own piece of railway history.

David Horne, Managing Director of LNER, said:

“It is truly inspiring to see how our customers, colleagues and communities have united to raise this tremendous amount of money and I’m immensely proud that it will help CALM continue its vital work, supporting people when they need it most. We’d like to thank everyone who has donated their time or money. They are helping to make a real difference.”

Simon Gunning, CEO of the Campaign Against Living Miserably, said:

“Each week in the UK 125 people die by suicide and CALM exists to change this. LNER has helped raise awareness and move forward the conversation around suicide prevention by ensuring CALM has a presence at train stations, at Pride events and within the rail industry, reaching high-risk communities and providing them with support. Thanks to LNER’s incredible colleague fundraising and customers donating through the innovative Delay Repay scheme, more than £400,000 has been raised, which could fund 50,000 potentially life-saving calls or chats.”

London North Eastern Railway staff members will continue fundraising for CALM in the Great North Run in Tyneside.