A unique approach
Rail travel has a clear role to play in sustainable transport. Virgin Trains aim to lead the charge. They are aware of their impact, from carbon emissions to air quality, as well as affordability. So they are doing what they can to minimise the negative and accentuate the positive.
Customers and employees are encouraged to give input into the business’ social and environmental work. They aim to make a positive difference in people’s lives by encouraging staff to engage in charitable and volunteering activities.
What do they support?
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CLIC Sargent |
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Since 2009, Virgin Trains has supported the cancer charity CLIC Sargent, the leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families in the UK. They provide clinical, practical and emotional support to help UK children, young people and their families cope with cancer and get the most out of life. CLIC Sargent is there from the point of diagnosis and helps families deal with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement. |
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Missing People |
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Missing People offers a lifeline to the 250,000 people who go missing or run away every year in the UK. For the families left behind, they provide specialist support to ease the heartache and confusion and help search for their missing loved ones.
Virgin Trains launched a new Search Partnership with Missing People in the North West of England. As a Search Partner, they display appeal posters for missing children and vulnerable adults in the region’s train stations. It is estimated that almost 50,000 people disappear every year from the North West area. |
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Heaven’s Angels |
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Virgin Trains supported Christian Aid and Virgin Unite’s “Heaven’s Angels” programme which buys motorbikes for trained medical workers in Kenya so they can reach thousands of people who may otherwise die unnecessarily. The riders deliver essential medicines and provide health education to people in rural areas, where the nearest clinic may be miles away. |
Impact?
Fundraising has generated £650,000 for charitable causes. Gifts in-kind, totalling £150,000 include the use of meeting rooms, free travel, surplus office equipment such as furniture, laptops, and mobile phones.
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CLIC Sargent |
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The CLIC Sargent partnership has generated over £414,000. Efforts include those of five Manchester Virgin Trains drivers John Young, Gary Nuthall, Steve Griffin and Jamie Chadwick, who worked together to organise the “Train Of Hope” steam rail tour in October 2011 raising an impressive £40,000 in one day. |
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Heaven’s Angels |
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By participating in the “Heaven’s Angels” programme, with other Virgin businesses, Virgin Trains raised over £193,000. |
Here’s what they are saying:
Nick Chadwick, Driver Depot Manager, Euston Station, said:
“Having charity as a priority in the business and working with CLIC Sargent has been fantastic. I personally gained a lot from the experiences it has brought me. As well as the feel-good factor, I have seen it bring so many positives to the business, bringing people together from all walks of life… it puts things into perspective. It’s a great thing to do.”
Helen Turton, CLIC Sargent Account Manager, said:
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We are delighted that Virgin Trains have extended their partnership with CLIC Sargent until March 2012 and is continuing to support the charity’s work helping children and young people affected by cancer, and their families. As CLIC Sargent relies almost entirely on voluntary donations it means that it continually needs to raise money to fund the support that it provides – that’s why help from our corporate partners, like Virgin Trains, is so important. The partnership has generated over £414,000 for the charity to date and we want to thank everyone who has contributed to this success.”
Martin Houghton-Brown, Chief Executive of Missing People, said:
“If your child went missing, wouldn't you want the whole world to stop and look for them? The charity Missing People is building a dedicated community of people across the UK ready to join the search online, at work and in their neighbourhood. We are so grateful to Virgin Trains and their passengers for joining the search in the North West.”
To learn more about Virgin Trains partners and initiatives, please visit:
For more info on Virgin Trains, please email:
Joanna.Buckley@virgintrains.co.uk