Customers travelling on all of FirstGroup’s rail companies including Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway (GWR), Hull Trains, South Western Railway (SWR) and TransPennine Express (TPE) have the opportunity to donate their Delay Repay compensation to the Group’s UK charity partner, Action for Children.
The Delay Repay scheme is just one of many ways FirstGroup’s UK businesses are supporting Action for Children, which FirstGroup has partnered with since 2018.
Action for Children works to protect and support vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and assistance. The award-winning partnership, which has just received a one-year extension to March 2022, helps the charity continue their vital work on behalf of young people across the UK.
Anyone who experiences a delay of 15 minutes or more to their rail journey can easily apply for a refund through the relevant operator’s Delay Repay scheme. When doing so, there is the option to donate this money to the charity.
If a customer selects the option to donate their compensation, then 100% of this amount will go straight to the charity.
Kate Broome, FirstGroup’s Director of Corporate Responsibility, said: “We know how challenging this year has been for so many people in our communities around the UK, including the children and young people supported by our charity partner Action for Children.
“Any donations of Delay Repay compensation that our customers choose to make, no matter how small, will support the vital work of Action for Children and have a real impact on the lives of young people and their families in our communities.”
Steve Montgomery, Managing Director First Rail, said: “Each of our train operating companies endeavours to provide a reliable service for our customers and is committed to compensating customers when their journey is delayed by 15 minutes or more.
“Now with this new initiative customers can choose to help Action for Children deliver much needed mental health programmes and benefit young people and their families when they need it most.”
Locks Farmer, Director of Fundraising and Marketing for Action for Children, adds: “We are incredibly grateful to FirstGroup for setting up this brilliant initiative.
“Our frontline workers tell us the crisis has damaged the mental health of over three-quarters of the children and young people they support, with some experiencing night terrors, bed-wetting, self-harm and outbursts of anger, so it’s crucial they receive support as early as possible.
“All donations will ensure Action for Children can be a lifeline for those young people and give them the tools they need to be able to cope. Together, thanks to FirstGroup’s generous customer donations, we will support even more young people on their journey to better mental health.”
To apply for a refund and find out more about Delay repay, visit GWR, SWR, TPE or Avanti West Coast’s website directly.
Photo credit: GWR
