The Settle-Carlisle Railway has made a donation to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) following the line’s successful anniversary celebrations.
A special train ran to mark 25 years since the railway was saved from closure on April 11th, with more than 600 people on board the train, which was provided by Direct Rail Services of Carlisle.
The proceeds of a raffle were split between the Great North and Yorkshire Air Ambulance Services.
Anne Ridley, from the Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company, said: “Our railway runs through some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of England. We recognise the vital service that the air ambulance provides to the local communities and we are delighted to support the fantastic work it does”.
Prizes for the raffle included: A selection of Settle-Carlisle Railway ales created by the Eden Brewery, lunch at the Hallmark Hotel in Carlisle and a cab ride in one of Direct Rail Services diesel locomotives.
More than £1,000 was raised in total and a cheque totalling £553 was presented to Stacy Hucker, of GNAAS, at Appleby station at the end of April.
GNAAS operates three helicopters, 365 days a year, across the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria and the crews respond to around 1,000 call outs each year.
Stacy Hucker, of GNAAS, said: “It’s great that Settle-Carlisle Railway has raised so much money for two life-saving air ambulances in their area, the donation will certainly help keep our aircraft flying in Cumbria. We are very grateful to everybody involved in the fundraising and glad they had such a wonderful time on the day.”
The Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company works with Northern Rail to promote the railway and supports economic activity in the areas through which the railway runs.
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