The award-winning Lappa Valley is popular with families and has been open for almost 50 years and this year saw the railway win the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at Cornwall Tourism’s annual awards.

The railway which is located near Newquay has been supporting charity Penahligon’s Friends during 2022 by collecting donations from customers throughout its season as well as donating a proportion of ticket sales from a special event in September, managing to raise £1,250 in total.

Charity, Penhaligon’s Friends was formed in 1995 in Cornwall and has supported thousands of children and families. The past year has seen the charity su

994 young people throughout the county who have been bereaved as well as providing both advice and training for childcare professionals.

Keith Southwell, managing director at Lappa Valley said: “We’re very much a family attraction and families have enjoyed and made special memories at Lappa Valley for nearly five decades. We like to support charities that provide vital support that makes a real difference to children and their families when the chips are down. Penhaligon’s Friends ticked that box and we’re pleased to be able to support what they do.

Julie Parker, CEO of Penhaligon’s Friends said: “We were delighted to be chosen as Lappa Valley’s charity of the year, and it has been a pleasure to work with their team this year! Their generous donation will enable us to buy storybooks throughout 2023. We regularly send out books and resources for families to help them explain death and grief. Storybooks are such an important medium for helping children to understand, giving parents appropriate language and helping to promote conversations.

“We have also been able to visit Lappa Valley with children we have supported during the year, it is such a great family-friendly attraction and our families have been able to create new memories there.”

Lappa Valley will maintain its support for the charity through 2023.

“We feel that there’s such a good fit between our two organisations, members of our team have been supported by Penhaligon’s Friends in the past, and we truly value and appreciate the important work that they do in Cornwall.” Added Keith

To find out more about Penhaligon’s Friends, please visit: http://penhaligonsfriends.org.uk