ScotRail safety team supporting Scottish charities

ScotRail safety team supporting Scottish charities

Wednesday 29 July 2009 

TWO charities have each received £1000 – the prizes won by ScotRail’s safety team in an awards’ competition.

The donations went to Alzheimer Scotland and the Meningitis Trust.

The ScotRail team won two awards at the annual safety awards held by parent company FirstGroup, with the £1000 prizes going to the charities of its choice.

ScotRail’s head of safety, Shayne Broad, said: "We're delighted that our success enabled us to help two worthy charities based in Scotland.

“They both do outstanding work, and were obvious choices for the team for a number of reasons.”

The Meningitis Trust was chosen, for example, following its support after the daughter of an Edinburgh-based driver took ill on contracting the virus.

Other ScotRail staff are currently raising more funds for meningitis organisations, including 10 managers climbing Ben Nevis and Ben Lomond in two days.

Robert Plant, ScotRail’s operational standards manager, nominated Alzheimer Scotland as a beneficiary as the condition has affected a member of his family.

The cheques were handed over to charity representatives at the train operator’s Glasgow headquarters.

Sarah Burgess and Isabel Kaplin, from Alzheimer Scotland, and Kerry Ross, of the Meningitis Trust, were delighted at receiving the donations.

Sarah said: "Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland's leading dementia charity, we provide services and support at over 60 sites across the country. This donation will make a real difference to the lives of people with dementia and their families.

“We're very grateful to ScotRail for their generosity in supporting our work."

Media enquiries:
Carla Rinaldi: 0141 335 5156 / carla.rinaldi@firstgroup.com
Iain Wilson: 0141 335 4565 / iain.wilson@firstgroup.com
www.scotrail.co.uk