Thieves steal £10k worth of fittings from East Lancs just hours before closure
HOURS after launching its SOS appeal for funds because of its closure due to Covid-19, burglars raided the East Lancashire Railway’s Baron Street site – and stole £10,000 worth of brads and copper fittings.
The railway had announced that it would close from Saturday, March 21. However, the thieves struck the night before.
Railway chairman Mike Kelly said: “Like every other events organisation, Covid-19 is having a dramatic effect on our operations. We are a charity, staffed largely by volunteers, and have to prioritise the health and safety of both the public and our team, including many in high risk groups.
“We didn’t take this decision lightly and we know it will impact a great many people’s lives. To then be hit with such a huge theft over the weekend was just gut-wrenching.
“We are trying our very best to maintain this heritage railway as a destination for generations to come and things like this have a massive impact.
“The closure and theft really do threaten our existence, so we would appeal to people, now more than ever, to support us and ensure we can reopen when this difficult period ends.
“We appreciate that times will be hard for everyone in the coming months, particularly our volunteers, and as a railway community we are doing everything we can to reach out to our older volunteers and make sure they are supported in any way they need.
“This is a constantly evolving situation and we hope with the public’s continued support to be able to open our doors again soon.”
The line’s officials are urging supporters to ‘pay it forward’ by booking tickets for future visits.
➜ For more information on how to support the railway through the closure visit: www.eastlancsrailway. org.uk
A statement on the appeal site said: “The help that is currently available would see the railway become heavily indebted – it would be several years before the railway would be able to pay this off. The amount the railway is set to lose over the coming weeks could threaten the continued existence of the ELR. That is why we need your support to survive.”