On Tuesday 12 September 2023, the UK-based rail non-profit Rail Partners hosted ‘Rail Partners with Ukraine’, a collective railway fundraiser. The special event in London, in aid of the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force and its food package campaign, raised £105 847 (equals €122 867 and $131 860), which means that approximately 7056 of food parcels can be delivered directly to Ukrainian railway workers and their families.
The event was well-attended by colleagues from across the industry. They were joined by the UK Minister of State for Rail, Huw Merriman MP, and the UK Shadow Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh MP. Attendees heard from Oleg Yakovenko and Yuriy Nemchykov – representatives of Ukrainian Railways (UZ) who are responsible for delivering a functioning railway amid the current conflict. They gave insights into coordinating the mass exodus of people in the early stages of the war; how the railway has been used in support of military personnel as well managing freight traffic such as grain exports; and how they have maintained the railway in the event of excessive damage to the infrastructure.
Rail Partners’ chief executive Andy Bagnall, said: “Rail plays a pivotal role in supporting communities, businesses and the wider economy here in Britain. Running a railway on a daily basis in normal conditions means hundreds of individual operational decisions taken to deliver for passengers and freight customers.
That is why, in Russia’s War of Aggression, the efforts of our colleagues in the Ukrainian rail sector have been remarkable. The railway has been, and is, a critical means to transport vital supplies, evacuate civilians and support the wider economy. Ukrainian rail workers have stepped up to deliver for their country alongside the Ukrainian armed forces. The decisions they make and the work they do are more important than ever before. That is why as an industry we came together to support this great cause.”
The Global Ukraine Rail Task Force (GURTF) Donation Campaign proceeds provide food packages for rail workers and their families in the war zone. Each one consists of flour, pasta, rice, salt, corn and wheat grits, oil, canned fish and meat, pate, tea, condensed milk, sugar, and biscuits.
Here is a short video about the donation campaign so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upzOyEstkg
GURTF Co-Chair Nick Brooks attended at the event in London. He said: “The amount donated by the UK rail sector yesterday was phenomenal. Generous donors from the UK, EU, Norway and US have already made it possible to provide many thousands of food packages. However, the rail workers on the frontline are still suffering, and many more are necessary.”
You still can donate – also smaller amounts, and just £15/€17/$20 brings much needed relief to Ukrainian railway workers.
Please donate via the secure payment platform of our verified international charity partner United Way/WE AID. Click on “PayPal” in your currency in order to donate with either Paypal or also with all leading payment and credit cards:
https://www.we-aid.org/en/initiatives/allrail-support-ukraine-rail-task-force/
Let’s Do This!