London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is inviting bids for funding from its Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF).

Charities, organisations and communities along the operator’s 956-mile route are eligible to apply, and must do so by Sunday 24 September. To apply, projects must be located within ten to fifteen miles of the East Coast Main Line, in an area where there is an identified social need. In their application, they will outline how their project will help create a more inclusive, prosperous and connected community.

The Fund supports projects that focus on mental health, education and employability skills among marginalised groups, diversity and inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Over the last five years, more than one hundred and thirty organisatons have received grants from the Fund. One is the Samaritans, which received help with projects supporting communities on the LNER route, including in London, Lincoln, Hull, Perth and Aberdeen.

Further details about how to apply can be found here.

London

The Canal and River Trust cares for more than two thousand miles of canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks. It used the money it received from LNER’s fund to create floating ecosystems which provide a wildlife habitat and improve biodiversity along Regent’s Canal, which runs through the heart of London,

Ros Daniels, Canal & River Trust regional director for London & South East, said: “For millions of Londoners, our charity cares for are a piece of outdoor space they can call their own. But they are also an important corridor for wildlife, providing a linear park twice the size of Hyde Park.

“Greening projects like the floating ecosystems on the Regent’s Canal at King’s Cross provide vital habitat in a pressured urban environment, increase biodiversity, and help improve water quality.

“With rising costs and increased pressure on our network from climate change and extreme weather, our charity simply wouldn’t be able to afford to make projects like these happen without generous financial support from partners like LNER.”

Yorkshire and North England

The Fund has provided grants to charities and organisations in Doncaster, Leeds, York, North Yorkshire and the North East.

MHA works to improve the lives of older people in communities in West Yorkshire and the North East. Kirsty Millward, its Trusts and Foundations Officer, said: “We have been able to organise almost one hundred day trips for members to meet up, enjoy each other’s company and make memories thanks to the funding from LNER’s CCIF. Everything from days out to the seaside and visits to garden centres and stately homes, has really made a difference to 2,741 older people.”

Scotland 

LNER’s Fund has supported charities and organisations in Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh.

Recipients include When You Wish Upon a Star, a charity which grants the wishes of children and young people aged 4-16 with life-threatening illnesses. Judith King, its Regional Fundraiser, said: “We are thrilled LNER has chosen to support our mission of granting Wishes to children who live with life threatening illnesses.

“Opportunities could be respite holidays, going in search of Nessie, Harry Potter studios, day trips on the LNER network, or supporting seasonal visits to Christmas markets in the UK. These experiences can help families to gain strength, courage and resilience to carry on.

“We can’t thank LNER enough for choosing to support the work of When You Wish Upon a Star.”

Funds awared to Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust has enabled it to monitor the ecological status of the river and its surrounding ecosystem.

David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: “Our customers and communities are at the heart of what we do. We are proud to support fantastic projects across the LNER route through our Customer and Community Investment Fund. These projects really make a difference to people’s lives, from enhancing their wellbeing to helping them develop new skills.

“This year we are focusing on the environment and sustainability with biodiversity and sustainable travel initiatives among the categories. We’d love to see as many applications as possible from right along the LNER route. I’d encourage anyone looking to apply to visit our website to find out more.”