Railway Children begins Christmas fundraising to help build brighter futures

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The Christmas season is fast approaching, and Railway Children has released the latest range of festive cards and gifts to celebrate it.

The charity Christmas cards are always popular and offer a great opportunity to give something back to those that may be facing a difficult time at Christmas, with profits going towards Railway Children’s work in reaching and protecting vulnerable children in India, Tanzania and the UK.

In the wake of the pandemic, those living in poverty and facing trauma have suffered more than ever so your support to help them recover from its impact and build better, brighter futures is greatly appreciated.

This year’s range of rail-related cards include five new designs for 2022, along with the old favourites, and a new twin-pack available this year. Railway Children has even been able to keep the cost down to just £5 for a pack of ten, thanks to the generosity of the artists used who again offered their services for free.

As well as the Christmas card range, Railway Children is selling a range of Happy Future charity gifts too. Each one will provide life-changing funds for children and families around the world so buying one is a great way to show your loved ones just how much you care. There are several new gifts in this year’s range, including Emergency Essentials. This gift pays for the vital food, drink and care a child in India receives when they arrive at one of Railway Children’s Child Help Desks – often the first they have had in some time and a crucial step in their journey to safety.

Railway Children’s founder, industry legend David Maidment, who launched the charity after retiring as a British Rail executive, has been as busy as ever and has another two books out in time for Christmas. David is a prolific author and produces scores of books on locomotives as well as having written some fiction and real-life inspired work in the past. He donates all his profits to Railway Children and has contributed thousands to the charity this way. His books make excellent Christmas presents for rail enthusiasts.

David said: “Pen & Sword plan to publish two of my new books before Christmas, two volumes on the Great Western Castle class locomotives.  The first volume, ‘Great Western Castle class 4-6-0 locomotives, 1923-1959’ is due in October and ‘Great Western Castle class 4-6-0 locomotives, The Final Years 1960-1965’ in November.”

Even at 84 David shows no signs of slowing down, adding: “Five other books are planned for publication in 2023 − the final volume about the Castles in preservation, two books about Great Western four-coupled tank engines, and two on the LMS Duchess Pacifics. The Railway Children Christmas cards feature some rare and original rail-related artwork so they are always popular at the steam railway galas and model railway exhibitions I visit with my books.”

To order Railway Children Christmas cards visit www.railwaychildren.org.uk/shop and to order any of David Maidment’s books visit the Pen & Sword website or contact David Maidment directly by e-mail at [email protected].

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