Thousands of rail employees are getting on board with our cause as West Midlands Trains launches a Charity of the Year partnership with Brain Tumour Research.
The Birmingham-based company, which operates London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services, hopes to raise £50,000 – the equivalent of 18 days of research at a Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence – over the next two years.
Their efforts will be in memory of Sam Edwards, the wife of the company’s former Managing Director, Julian Edwards. Sam died of a grade 4 glioblastoma (GBM) in December 2022, aged 52, 14 months after she was diagnosed with the disease.
Julian, who stepped down from the company following Sam’s diagnosis, said: “To know that West Midlands Trains is supporting such an important cause is overwhelming. They have my gratitude and full support and I hope we can find a cure for this truly devastating disease in order to help patients in the future.”
As well as colleagues supporting Brain Tumour Research, there will be a chance for thousands of rail customers to get involved too; London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston, while West Midlands Railway services operate to destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill.
Elloise Harvey, Employee Engagement & Wellbeing Manager at West Midlands Trains, said: “It is shocking to learn that one in three people know someone affected by a brain tumour, which means there will be passengers using our services and colleagues we work with who have experience of this devastating disease.
“We’ve lots of exciting things in the planning stage and will help to fly the flag for Brain Tumour Research. To keep us on track to hit our target, we will be welcoming collections across our stations and encouraging employees to round up their pay.”
To contribute to West Midlands Train’s fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, click here.
To find out more about a charity partnership with Brain Tumour Research, contact Matt Howarth, our Corporate Development Manager, via matt.howarth@braintumourresearch.org
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