YOUR LATEST ROUND UP FROM WITHIN THE RBF COMMUNITY OCTOBER 2019 Newsletter
Chief Executive’s Welcome Welcome to our second newsletter of 2019. 2019 has so far been one of both growth and consolidation for the RBF. We have concentrated on getting our service and support message out to rail staff across the network.
Our #MeetPete roadshows have proved very popular and we have rolled this out to Greater Anglia, MerseyRail, Scotrail, Caledonian Sleeper and TransPennine staff across the country. These have been useful in both raising our profile and reach, with a number of station ambassadors being recruited as a result. We have not finished however! We have set ourselves a target of recruiting an RBF ambass ador in every station, office and depot across the country - so please get in touch if you are interested in joining the ambassador programme.
In terms of services; our legal helpline has proved popular with staff accessing advice across a range of issues from contract disputes to relationship breakdown. Our aim through the helpline is to Services roundup ensure that rail staff can access advice and information as early as possible to ensure that the Over the last few months we have supported with a huge range of things. We issues they face do not escalate into crisis. have provided grants to individuals and have also helped with supporting advice to ensure that the situation is improved and not just a short term fix. I am pleased to announce that we have launched This time of year there are a couple of areas where we would like you to pay our carers’ support service that provides a some attention. One of which is to ensure you are on a good heating tariff as dedicated support line to support staff facing the this can save you quite a bit of money. The other is to make sure as the dark challenge of caring for loved ones whilst working. nights draw in that you call in on anyone who is living alone. Sometimes a The carers support line will provide support, friendly face can make a dark time that bit brighter, a cup of tea can make the guidance and information on the options available world of difference when you have someone to share it with. and ensure that those looking after loved ones can access government, local and charity support We have launched our new scheme called the Family Support Fund which such as Dementia UK. means families who earn less than £30k can apply for a small grant of £200 to help pay for the expensive extras that can make a difference. School trips, Finally, I will mention the “C” word – Christmas. new uniforms and equipment can all add up and sometimes can be just out of We are once again selling Christmas cards, reach for already stretched budgets. We are here to help so if you think you calendars and other gift items via our website, might qualify then get in touch today info@railwaybenefitfund.org.uk and would ask that you support us through the purchase of these.
Jason Pete Waterman Heart of Annual Charity Golf joins the charity Gold Award Tournament See page 3 See page 4 See page 5 2 RBF NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2019
RBF Ambassadors
t has been a busy few months with some of our ambassadors Ireally stepping up to the mark. Wow! We have had a #MeetPete event over at Greater Anglia initiated by David Onslow, Heart of Gold award scooped by Ronnie Hardman at Merseyrail and the potential of Charity of the Year in a couple of the big names for 2020! We have had increased applications for support and social media has seen an increase in interaction…all because of the work our ambassadors are doing to ensure our messages get out. We have workshops planned over the coming months to ensure we have more ambassadors full of information ready to go. If you would like us to arrange one for your team then get in touch. We have had a brand new logo which we feel better represents the charity and our exciting new services. This is something which having ambassadors has made so much easier. Knowing we have our team of ambassadors to echo our new messages is so valuable. Our Map is gradually filling up with locations covered by ambassadors, if you can help us fill the gaps then please do get in touch fundraising@railwaybenefitfund.org.uk To all of our existing ambassadors reading…THANK YOU!!! List of destinations: • Birmingham New Street • Birmingham Moor Street • Glasgow Springburn • Colchester • Scarborough • Chelmsford • Blackpool • Romford • Liverpool Hall Road • Kings Cross • Liverpool Central • St Pancras • Port Sunlight • Euston • Manchester Piccadilly • Paddington • Manchester Oxford Road • Willesden Junction • Mexborough • Clapham Junction • Chester • Victoria • Macclesfield • Didcot Parkway • Stafford • Reading RBF NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2019 3
#MeetPete
ete Waterman joined the charity as our London Paddington. Our teams really enjoyed PPresident at the start of 2019. We’ve been meeting him.” able to use his profile and status to promote Railway Benefit Fund Chief Executive, RBF services and create buzz and interest Jason Tetley, said: “We are keen to get our around the charity. This involves Pete visiting message across the whole rail network and the teams up and down the network at their #MeetPete events are a great opportunity for place of work. the RBF to talk to staff directly and ensure we We’ve been asked along to meet the teams are there when they need us.” of several companies and these have been Pete Waterman has since been and spent a fantastic events so far. Those involved in the day on the Greater Anglia network. #MeetPete roadshows have also provided During his day with Greater Anglia, he meet staff and keep them informed of the work photographers and videographers to capture spoke to staff across the company including at of RBF. the day, as well as ensuring key names within Colchester station, where he opened a new A keen rail enthusiast, Pete enjoyed visits to their organisation are there to speak to Pete customer services office. various train stations across the network, and find out more about the RBF. He got a behind the scenes tour of the including Sandhills where he recorded a Pete began his UK #MeetPete tour at Network Rail signal box at Colchester and he station announcement, much to the delight of London Paddington in January where he also addressed a senior management meeting passengers, and Lime Street, Birkenhead was welcomed by GWR Station Manager at Greater Anglia’s Stratford Academy. North and Liverpool Central where he enjoyed Dean Haynes. Katy Bucknell, Greater Anglia HR director behind-the-scenes tours. After a walkabout on the concourse said: “The railway is a great industry and Andy Heath, Managing Director at and meeting customers in the First Class people who work in it become a “railway Merseyrail, added: “It was a pleasure to lounge, Pete was able to make his first ever family”. The Railway Benefit Fund is a fantastic welcome Pete to our network last week. station announcement from the Paddington charity which is able to provide additional “His passion for the rail industry and the Control Room. support to staff in need. work he’s doing with the RBF shone through Pete, said: “It was a fantastic experience. “We were delighted to host Pete during his visit and it was great for our staff to Meeting so many of the staff at Paddington Waterman. He was brilliant with our staff hear first-hand how the charity can support was a real pleasure and I’m excited about and most entertaining at our senior them in many areas of their lives. Pete is working closely with the RBF to promote the management meeting.” welcome to visit us at Merseyrail anytime.” great work it does supporting railway people.” #MeetPete was welcomed to Merseyside If you’d like to #MeetPete at your own place GWR Paddington Station Manager, Dean by regional train operator Merseyrail. of work, then get in touch with the RBF team Haynes, said: “We’re thrilled Pete and the RBF Pete, along with Faye Jaques, RBF today: fundraising@railwaybenefitfund.org.uk / chose to start the ‘Meet Pete’ station tour at Fundraising Manager, toured the network to 0345 241 2885
YOUR RYKNELD SUMMER 2019 3 4 RBF NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2019 Heart of Gold Award
his was the second year that we held The winners were announced live on Tour Heart of Gold Award. The ethos Twitter and Facebook by our President behind them is to ensure the people who Pete Waterman. go the extra mile to help their colleagues We added an extra surprise for Ronnie and customers, get the recognition they as we planned a secret visit to Merseyrail deserve. These people are at the heart of with Pete Waterman to hand over the the railway family and keep their teams trophy in person to Ronnie. His wife and going when times are difficult. daughter were in on the surprise! This year’s winner was one of our RBF Merseyrail even gave his wife a bouquet of ambassadors, Ronnie Hardman of Mersey flowers to thank her for the times that Rail. The stories we received about him Ronnie sacrificed family time to support during our nomination process were his colleagues. All the comments we incredible and they just kept flooding in. received for Ronnie were put into a He had stiff competition from our other keepsake book for him so he knows just nominees with more wonderful stories how much his help means to his team. with real humanity, warmth and support. Thank you Ronnie Hardman! Keep your Something deep rooted in our ethos as a eyes peeled for Benevolent Fund. Heart of Gold next year and be sure to nominate those that go above and beyond. Steam and Speed Calendar Competition New Logo
or the past three years we’ve run a photography competition in ig news! We’re releasing an updated charity Fsearch of some wonderful images to use in our annual calendar. This Bidentity, which includes a new logo, colours, and year our theme was ‘Steam and Speed’ - we wanted to see an array of font – we are really excited! photographs inspired by the rail industry - past, present and future! You’ll see the new look anywhere we’re out in public, We estimated that over the last three years these calendars have like our website, Facebook, and Twitter; very soon you’ll raised nearly £10,000! Crucial income for us to keep supporting the see it in all of our charity literature and information, as railway family all over the UK. well. We believe the new look better matches what We were inundated with some fantastic photographs and our team we’ve become since the charity first began in 1858: a had a tough time choosing the 13 winners when the competition closed charity that better reflects the issues faced by railway in August. However, we are delighted with the finished calendar! staff of today. The calendar is an ideal gift for a friend, loved one or even for In the past 160 years the charity has evolved and yourself! This year to make things more efficient for the charity we are changed depending on the needs of the industry. But in selling our Calendar for £7 (plus P&P) and a selection of Christmas the last few years we’ve changed quite a lot: we’ve Cards and gifts online only. listened to market research and industry stakeholders To view our items please visit: www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/shop to ensure we are relevant to today’s modern railway however, if you’re struggling to place your order please call us and one people. of our team will be happy to help: We’ve launched new services of support as well as 0345 241 2885. looking at new ways in which we can engage and work with the industry to better look after it’s main asset – the people! We believe that our new logo does a better job of describing who we are and what we do. The colours are fresher, brighter and friendlier – like the RBF of 2019! You’ll notice that the more you see of our literature and work, there will be a link to each area of the charity, with a particular colour! The green reflects a proactive approach to supporting the industry and will predominantly be used for services related information. Whereas, the purple will be used more in connection with our engagement and fundraising activities. We hope you like this new look and feel for The Railway Benefit Fund – we certainly do! Look out for more updates on our fresh new look, especially following the official launch on the 10th of October at our Annual Dinner. RBF NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2019 5 RBF's Annual Charity Golf Tournament
he RBF's Annual Charity Golf Tournament, was held on TThursday 13th June 2018, at the Hendon Golf Club. It was a fantastic day (despite the downpours!). We were joined by some fantastic teams who were great company out on the greens and at the club. We are delighted to announce that together we raised over £12,000! We wanted to thank all our teams who joined us. As always they were all fantastic sports and in such good spirits - despite the weather! Special thanks must also go to CSIS for sponsoring the event - even just for the umbrellas' they provided! By sponsoring the day it meant all fundraising could go that bit further! Everyone was extremely generous with taking part in the raffle. This level of fundraising really does enable us to continue to be there for the rail industry. We are the only charity that solely supports railway people and their families but we 1st Golf Team can't do this without your help! Watch this space for our 2020 Golf Day date announced soon!
RBF are the chosen charity for the event
Southwark Cathedral, 2nd Golf Team London Bridge, London SE1 9DA Wednesday 6 November, 15:00
To register your interest to attend the memorial service, please go to rwcms.co.uk or telephone 01772 767724
3rd Golf Team Mr Manle y w ork ed in r ail mos t of his lif e and once r e r ed look ed f or war d t o spending me with his wif e of 63 y ear s. Ho wever , as me w en t on she needed specialis t c ar e in a nur sing home. Mr Manle y w as de vas tated b y the separ a on and se t about tr ying t o r aise funds so he c ould c ar e f or her a t home.
He beg an g ambling , buying scr atch c ar ds and lo er y ck ets in the hope to g et his wif e back home. He ran up hug e deb ts and without seeking advice r st, sold his home t o r epa y them. Loc al r esiden ts r eport ed tha t he had been sleeping in his c ar nearb y t o wher e his wif e w as being c ar ed f or , w e w ork ed with other ag encies t o house him.
We made his ne w home sa fe, ensuring he had the essen als he needed. B y giving ong oing r egular help Mr Manle y c an focus on living well and spend ing me with his tr easur ed wif e.
It ’s with the w arm support of the r ailw ay f amily tha t the RBF is able t o c on nue suppor ng people lik e Mr Manle y.
Mr Manle y w as v er y hesit an t t o accep t our help.
This is an e xample of someone who w as in clear need of support, yet has the pot en al t o g o without thr ough f ear of turning t o a charity . He f elt his situa on w as not ‘bad enough’ t o r eceiv e help and support. We w an t t o be able t o help all r ailw ay people in mes of need - and w e need y our support t o do so.
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