Avanti West Coast has announced plans to extend its ongoing partnership with charity Railway Benefit Fund for a further twelve months.

The charity provides both financial and more general support to families who are connected to railways, primarily as employees of railway companies across the UK.

Founded in 1858, the Railway Benefit Fund has aided over a thousand individuals over the past twelve months. With rising costs putting a strain on many households’ finances, the charity is under increasing pressure to aid and support railway families.

Avanti West Coast’s goal in continuing to partner with the Railway Benefit Fund is to ensure support for the rail provider’s current and former employees, and their families.

This is done through a series of grants that are available to those who are struggling financially and health and wellbeing activities to promote a more active and engaged lifestyle.

This support will also extend to providing assistance with the charity’s Christmas Vouchers for Rail Children appeal, which aims to provide a hundred children of railway families additional gifts and support over the festive period.

The Railway Benefit Fund has engaged in a series of fundraising activities in partnership with many railway bodies this year, including several with Network Rail. A Christmas concert at London Bridge Station this week saw a performance by The London Transport Choir, accompanied by a church organ.

The charity has also recently honoured this year’s recipients of its Heart of Gold awards, which aim to spotlight individuals and groups working in the rail industry who have made a meaningful positive contribution to their local communities.

Avanti’s extended partnership with the Railway Benefit Fund will now run until September of 2024, giving additional support to the railway provider’s employees and their families.

Kelly Burton, Avanti West Coast’s Health and Wellbeing Partner, said of the extended partnership:

“The Railway Benefit Fund are the unsung heroes of the industry. They’ve been supporting our people and the wider railway family for over 160 years.

“Their work is invaluable, even more so in recent times, and we’re proud to continue our partnership with them.”

The Railway Benefit Fund’s Chief Executive Officer Jo Kaye added:

“We are delighted to have renewed our partnership with Avanti West Coast for the fourth consecutive year. By working together, we continue to improve the financial wellbeing of current, former and retired railway employees.”