Loss of iconic HSTs from West Yorkshire rails boosts charity funds

Train operator CrossCountry and magazine Modern Railways joined forces to donate more than £60,000 to The Brain Tumour Charity.

The donation comes from funds raised through the retirement of CrossCountry’s High Speed Train (HST) fleet, which ran its final journeys in September 2023.

A final one-off trip from Leeds to Swanage on the south coast was organised in support of The Brain Tumour Charity, raising a total of £63,022.12 through ticket, merchandise and food and drink sales on the day.

Tom Joyner, CrossCountry’s Managing Director, said: “It was important to mark the contributions of not only our High Speed Trains that have served us so well for over 40 years, but also the generations of colleagues who have worked tirelessly to maintain them.

"It’s also been a privilege to raise so much money for such a worthy cause - just another example of what can be accomplished by colleagues across the rail industry working together.”

Another £1,866.90 was donated by attendees at Modern Railways’ annual Golden Spanner awards, bringing the grand total to £64,889.02.

Philip Sherratt, Editor of Modern Railways magazine, said: ‘It was a privilege for Modern Railways to work with CrossCountry to mark the withdrawal of their iconic HST fleet and to see the interest the farewell tour generated, as well as to have raised such a phenomenal amount of money."

CrossCountry and Modern Railways present fundraising cheque to The Brain Tumour Charity (Image: CrossCountry)

Mr Sherrat added: "It was great to celebrate this achievement alongside colleagues from CrossCountry and The Brain Tumour Charity at our Golden Spanner awards.”

The charity was chosen in memory of CrossCountry colleague Jo Taylor, who was a well-loved member of the CrossCountry family.

Hannah Bowler, Corporate Partnership Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We are so grateful for the support of everyone at CrossCountry. It’s been such a pleasure working with the team and it’s incredible that nearly £65,000 has been raised in memory of their colleague Jo Taylor.

“The effort from everyone involved will allow us to continue growing our support services, accelerate change in brain tumour diagnosis and treatment, and to invest in vital research for all those affected.”