Avanti West Coast employees climb Yorkshire Three Peaks for charity
Group of four Avanti West Coast employees take part in popular walking challenge in aid of the Railway Children.
- Avanti West Coast employees complete trek across Yorkshire Dales for charity
- Group of four employees help raise over £2,000 in aid of Railway Children
- Donations will support children experiencing homelessness in the UK, India and Tanzania
A group of Avanti West Coast employees have completed a gruelling walking challenge across the Yorkshire Dales to fundraise for charity.
Amy Moore (HR Admin Team Lead), Paul Mills (Senior IT Project Manager), Margaret Dzikiti (IT Project Manager), and Lauren Plant (Senior Research Executive) teamed up to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in aid of UK-based charity, Railway Children.
Alongside employees from Avanti West Coast’s partner company West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) , the group climbed the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside – the highest summit of the course with a peak of 736 metres – and Ingleborough, completing the 24-mile trek that started and ended in Horton-on-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire, in 13 hours.
Over 70 walkers took part in the event, which was held in aid of the Railway Children – a charity who help children and young people experiencing homelessness in and around railway stations in the UK, India and Tanzania. Together with WCPD colleagues, the group raised over £2,000 for the charity.
Speaking about why he chose to embark on the challenge, Paul said: “After completing the National Three Peaks by Rail challenge last year and enjoying it so much, I was eager to complete another challenge that pushed me physically.
“I am lucky enough to have enlisted the help of a local pub, who are hosting a dedicated night to support my walk and help raise money for the fantastic Railway Children charity and the incredible work they do.”
After completing the trek, Margaret said: “Every ache was worth it. We pushed through the pain for an amazing cause that makes a difference and truly matters. Sometimes discomfort reminds us that we’re doing something meaningful.”
Cat Howourth, Events Manager at Railway Children said: "I had the pleasure of supporting the Yorkshire Three Peaks challengers and I am inspired by their determination to complete the trek. It was tough day with such high temperatures, but the team didn't let that affect their willpower to finish the course with a smile on their faces.
"The event was really successful, and we're so thankful to the 70 participants who helped us raise over £30,000 - a considerable amount to help with the work that we do."
To support the Avanti West Coast team and West Coast Partnership Development employees to raise money for Railway Children, visit: https://railwaychildren.enthuse.com/pf/avanti-west-coast-21723.
ENDS
Contact Information
Lauren Haslam
Notes to editors
Main image: (Left to right) Avanti West Coast and West Coast Partnership colleagues, Paul Mills, Margaret Dzikiti, Lauren Plant, Julian Edwards, Ralph Wallis and Amy Moore take on Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.
The sponsorship page for the Avanti West Coast team and West Coast Partnership Development employees is still taking donations and can be found here: https://railwaychildren.enthuse.com/pf/avanti-west-coast-21723
About Railway Children
Railway Children has a vision of a world in which no child is lost to the streets. Across the UK, India and Tanzania, our experience and relationships across transport networks provide a unique opportunity for us to reach children who are alone and vulnerable before they come to serious harm.
Whether it’s supporting young people off the streets and into nurturing, family-based care, providing education through our Children’s Centres or helping a child find solutions to the problems they face, we’re there for every child for as long as it takes.
Through working with families, caregivers and other social services alongside dedicated, one-to-one support, we help young people build a brighter, sustainable future.
But we know we can’t achieve real, long-lasting change on our own. So, we work with key partners including agencies, rail partners, local government and the public to raise awareness of the underlying issues that affect young people, and to drive forward policy that can bring long-lasting change.
Together, we’re determined we’ll leave no child behind.
Railway Children | Protecting Vulnerable Children Worldwide
About West Coast Partnership Development
West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) is designing and mobilising new high-speed services for the UK. These services will run on the new High Speed 2 (HS2) route and the existing railway, delivering better services between London and Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Cumbria and Scotland.
Its goal is to maximise the benefits of the significant investment from the Department for Transport into the new High Speed 2 (HS2) railway, as well as the upgrades to the railway on the West Coast Mainline.
For the latest news, visit: https://www.westcoastpartnershipdevelopment.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.
We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.
Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333