Rail firm's cash boost option for charity

Rail customers in the North East are being offered the chance to help a charity if their journeys are delayed

Northern Rail customers can now donate their refunds from delayed trains to a Samaritans – with the option of diverting their refund to the charity rather than receive the payment themselves.

Currently, customers claim though Delay Repay if their train happens to be late or cancelled and, as a result, they get to their destination station more than 15 minutes later than scheduled.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “One of our key goals is to make a positive impact in the region and we hope that our support for Samaritans through this scheme help us reach out to those who may be struggling.”

Despite the reduced numbers of people who have been able to travel due to Covid, since the scheme began in December, over 170 passengers have chosen to support the charity with a total of £958 being donated.

The option to donate a repayment can be selected from a drop-down menu at the bottom of the Delay Repay form which can be found of Northern’s website. Olivia Cayley, Samaritan’s head of rail programme, said: “We are so grateful to Northern for their continued support.

"The past year has really tested the mental health and wellbeing of the nation and every donation helps our amazing volunteers be there for anyone who needs support.

The Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123 or at jo@samaritans.org.