The Severn Valley Railway has said that its Resilience Fund current stands at around £73,000 worth of donations.

The Resilience Fund was launched in May and seeks to support the ongoing costs of the railway.

The fundraising effort is being led by the Severn Valley Railway Company Limited, which is a volunteer run organisation separate to SVR (Holdings) PLC, which operates the heritage railway.

‘The response from the public to our appeal really has exceeded our expectations. We’re hugely grateful to everyone who’s responded, and it’s heartening to see that they clearly understand the sheer expense of running a heritage railway like the Severn Valley.

‘We want to keep highlighting how much we’ll need ongoing support. The SVR requires a steady stream of funding, and will need it for some time. This isn’t about making a big splash or hitting a target. It’s about bolstering our resilience for the long haul.’

SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster