As 2023 comes to close, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) looking ahead 2024 and to raising the funds necessary for it to continue its operations next year.

It has set a target of raising £50,000 and has already reached half that total as it seeks to boost its donations with an appeal with a difference as its latest vital fundraising initiative.

This latest fundraising campaign is titled “Join Piglet’s Journey “, and is named after Paul Middleton, the railway’s Director of Mechanical Engineering, who is colloquially referred to as Piglet and has been at the railway since he was 16 years old. Anyone who makes a donation will be automatically enter them into a draw where the prize for one lucky winner is free travel the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for a year.

As well as the unique first prize, entrants will have the chance to attend an exclusive event hosted by Paul ‘Piglet’ Middleton. As well as the prize draw, donations will also attract various offerings, including:

• All donations will provide an entry into the prize draw for free North Yorkshire Moors travel for a year;
• A £25 donation will feature the donor’s name on the new NYMR station artwork;
• a £120 donation will sponsor an NYMR apprentice, and the donor will receive a personal letter of thanks and quarterly updates from the team;
• A £500 donation will provide the donor with two tickets to an exclusive event hosted by Piglet plus a chat with him.

For further information about the railway and to make a donation visit https://www.nymr.co.uk/piglets-journey

Julia Clark, Director of Fundraising at the NYMR said, “We’re honestly so delighted by the support we’ve had thus far for our vital fundraising initiative and have high hopes that we’ll reach our target. The NYMR is a bridge between the past and the future. For years, we’ve transported passengers through the spectacular and timeless Yorkshire scenery – but we need to ensure that this journey continues for future generations.”

Paul Middleton, Director of Mechanical Engineering at the NYMR said, “Running a railway like this is challenging in terms of the costs involved and the skills required. For example, vital running costs cover the three tonnes of coal per day each locomotive requires, most tender engines have 12 brake blocks which have to be changed every other month, not to mention the job of re-profiling a locomotive’s tyres to ensure the train runs safely. These are all highly costly and that’s before all the funding needed to train and equip our drivers, firemen, cleaners, fitters and the rest of the team.

“There are many different opportunities for you to support our campaign and weave your name into our future. Rest assured that every single contribution will help guarantee that the steam never runs out, the stories never fade, and the magic of the moors remains accessible to everyone.