GBRF 2021 raises over £147,000 for Prostate Cancer UK charity
GBRF 2021 ‘This time it’s personal’ charter, which ran from September 2-5 last year, raised more than £147,000 for GB Railfreight’s charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK. As with previous fundraising railtours organised by the freight operating company, GBRF 2021 travelled the length and breadth of the country, using a wide range of traction from the GBRF fleet alongside supplied locomotives for sections of the tour from Direct Rail Services, Locomotive Services Ltd, LNER, and the Class 50 Alliance. More than 50 volunteers from within GBRF gave up their time to help operate the tour, working either as drivers or stewards.
Organised largely by the three-man GBRF charity railtour team consisting of Paul Taylor, Ian Grey and Dale Williams, GBRF 2021 was the company’s third four-day railtour; and the organisers have stated that GBRF 2021 would be the final marathon tour. The total raised for Prostate Cancer UK came in at £147,215.
The tour was not without its operational problems, as a sickness bug broke out among some of the passengers, but the operator was generally praised for the way it handled the situation while the tour continued.
GBRF CEO John Smith said: “Yet again our team has delivered another highly successful railtour that has raised an amazing amount for our chosen charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK.
“More now than ever, funds are needed to support vital research into better tests and treatments for people affected by prostate cancer and we are proud to contribute to this great cause. “My thanks go to our charity railtour team and the GBRF volunteers who gave up their time to make this fundraising feat possible and provide much- needed assistance behind the scenes.”
GBRF contract manager and one of the organising team behind GBRF 2021, Paul Taylor, said: “I’m amazed at what we’ve achieved as a team to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK – a charity very close to my heart following my diagnosis with the disease a few years ago. The crucial funds raised by this railtour will help in the fight against prostate cancer, and is credit to the huge contribution made by our team of volunteers and support shown by the railway family.”
Nicola Tallett, from Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted and hugely grateful to be on this lifesaving journey with GB Railfreight and are thrilled to learn that more than £147,000 has been raised from the brilliant railtour and other fundraising activity.
“That amazing sum will help fund lifesaving research into the most common cancer in men as we go full steam ahead to do vital research into better tests and treatments.
“It’s also allowed us to continue to have hugely important conversations about prostate cancer – a disease affecting one in eight men in the UK, and one in four black men.”
For more information about the charity and its work, please visit https://prostatecanceruk.org/