Avanti West Coast spreads Christmas cheer with #FakesOnATrain - personalised video messages from railway-themed fake celebrities
Avanti West Coast launches spoof video messaging called #FakesOnATrain to help spread Christmas cheer and raise money for Action for Children.
- #FakesOnATrain messages fronted by Avanti West Coast staff posing as fake celebs
- Personalised videos from celebs such as Trolley Parton can be sent to loved ones
- All proceeds go to charity Action for Children
Avanti West Coast is launching a spoof video messaging service fronted by its employees posing as railway-themed fake celebrities to raise money for charity this Christmas.
#FakesOnATrain treats fans to humorous video messages from phoney famous names, with the likes of Trolley Parton, Mel Coach B and Headrest Elba on hand to deliver a special festive treat.
Terrible impressions for a good cause. Get yours now! #FakesOnATrain pic.twitter.com/8A9Km9EeGl
— Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) December 11, 2020
The idea is modelled on popular celebrity video messaging sites, where famous names send bespoke messages to fans on request for a fee.
Avanti West Coast’s version uses fake celebrities played by a selection of the train operator’s employees who volunteered to perform the coveted roles. On request, and with a charitable donation, the fake celebs will record personalised video messages which can be purchased from the inter-city rail operator’s website.
Video messages range from £10-£40, with all proceeds raised going to Avanti West Coast’s charity partner, Action for Children, to help vulnerable children and families up and down the country who are struggling to stay warm and well fed this winter. A £10 message from Trolley Parton could pay for a day’s food for a child at Christmas.
Avanti West Coast Managing Director, Phil Whittingham said: “With #FakesOnaTrain we wanted to add some fun at the end of 2020 and give our customers and their loved ones a laugh this Christmas.
“Who needs A-listers when you can send someone a message from the likes of our very own Trolley Parton or Benedict Quietcoach and raise money for a great cause in the process!”
Locks Farmer, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Action for Children, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Avanti West Coast for setting up this brilliant social media campaign to raise funds that will help us make a life changing difference to children across the UK. It’s such a fun idea and we can’t wait to see what some of the ‘celebrities’ get up to!
“For most of us, the festive season is a happy time. But our frontline workers will be helping thousands of children and young people facing one of the most difficult Christmases of their lives, without a hot meal, a present or a safe place to sleep.
“Every penny raised through #FakesOnATrain will support even more of our most vulnerable children and families, not just at Christmas but every day.”
#FakesOnATrain video messages can be purchased on the Avanti West Coast website from 10-20 December.
ENDS
Contact Information
Notes to editors
www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/fakes-on-a-train
Video messages are priced at values which match items you can buy a child.
Prices are set at £10 (could pay for a day’s food for a child at Christmas), £25 (could pay for a pair of shoes for a child in winter), £40 (could pay for warm winter clothes for a child), £60 (could provide a young person in emergency accommodation with food and essentials for 4 days).
The full list of fake celebrities includes:
- Mel Coach B - £40 (could pay for warm winter clothes for a child)
- Trolley Parton - £10 (could pay for a day’s food for a child at Christmas)
- Benedict Quietcoach - £10 (could pay for a day’s food for a child at Christmas)
- Headrest Elba - £25 (could pay for a pair of shoes for a child in winter)
- Ronan Reservedseating - £10 (could pay for a day’s food for a child at Christmas)
- Romesh Rangastation - £40 (could pay for warm winter clothes for a child)
- Harry Aisles - £10 (could pay for a day’s food for a child at Christmas)
- Nigella Doorsclosing - £10 (could pay for a day’s food for a child at Christmas)
- Sir Michael Train - £40 (could pay for warm winter clothes for a child)
- Tina Tray Table - £25 (could pay for a pair of shoes for a child in winter)
- El-Tannoy John – £25 (could pay for a pair of shoes for a child in winter)
- Harry Spotter - £25 (could pay for a pair of shoes for a child in winter)
Action for Children
Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. With 476 services in communities across the country, the charity helps nearly 387,000 children, teenagers, parents and carers a year www.actionforchildren.org.uk
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, linking together the towns and major cities of the UK to create an iconic railway the country can be proud of. We’ve got big plans including a fleet of new intercity trains, as well as the complete refurbishment of the existing Pendolino train fleet. We will introduce more train services every week with new routes added, and a much-improved onboard service with enhanced free Wi-Fi, plug sockets, 25,000 brand new seats and improved catering. Since 8 December, passengers have benefitted from improved passenger compensation, available for journeys delayed by just 15 minutes.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Room: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333