Help NRA to raise funds for British-Ukrainian Aid

Each year, RAIL’s National Rail Awards raises thousands of pounds for a selected charity close to the railway. Previously, we have raised funds for the likes of Rail Benefit Fund, Railway Mission and The Railway Dogs Benevolent Fund.

For this year’s awards, taking place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on September 15 and hosted by broadcaster Huw Edwards, RAIL is doing something a little different. This involves two raffles - one on the night itself and the other during September, offering exclusive prizes.

The Railway Family Prize Draw, which launched last year during a period of difficulty, had the aim of bringing people together for a good cause and to remind us that when we unite, there is no industry that compares. This year, the Railway Family Prize Draw will be supporting the National Rail Awards with companies including LNER, ScotRail, Network Rail and Hitachi donating some exclusive prizes.

In response to the devastating events happening within Ukraine, the RAIL Ukraine Appeal was created, with British-Ukrainian Aid as this year’s charity.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, 140 railway men and women have lost their lives with another 120 wounded. We are all part of ‘one big railway family’, so consequently it feels like losing ‘one of our own’.More than 7,000km (5,350 miles) of railways have also been destroyed and around 50 railway bridges demolished. Despite this, the railway industry has safely evacuated over 3.5 million people.

British-Ukrainian Aid’s main focus is to provide essential medical aid to those in Ukraine. Additionally, it offers assistance to vulnerable individuals who are physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged, including the injured and wounded, orphaned children and the elderly.

For every £10 donated, you will be automatically allocated a number (raffle ticket). This goes into a draw, where you will be in with a chance of winning one of the prizes below. Winners will be revealed towards the end of September, and you can enter via https://gofund.me/c4fbf4e7

2022 Phase 1 Prizes:

■ LNER Azuma Simulator Experience including 1-2-1 coaching

■ Trip for two, including dinner, with Tornado Steam Tours (excluding Pullman)

■ Cab ride with Freightliner driver Heather Waugh

■ Behind-the-scenes tour of Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe facility

■ MTR cab ride between Abbey Wood and Paddington

■ 2 x VIP concert tickets at Glasgow Hydro, courtesy of QTS

■ More prizes to be revealed in the next issue of RAIL.

The second raffle will be exclusive on the night of the awards, with a handful of further outstanding prizes.

To book your ticket for the awards, visit www.national railawards.co.uk