The Bluebell Railway in Sussex is a a haven for all things Southern with an impressive collection of both locomotives and rolling stock, and is my favourite preserved line in the country.
It is currently pushing forward with its extension of the line to East Grinstead which entails a major removal of waste material and rubbish that was used to infill a cutting blocking the route between East Grinstead and Kingscote.
“The Big Give Christmas Challenge” takes place over the week of 5-9 December from 10am each day.
If the Bluebell can raise £30,000 online this week, then they receive another £30k in match funding. I am therefore spreading the word to everyone to help with online donations large and small through the “The Big Give” web site during the course of this week to help fund the completion of the Extension to East Grinstead.
Note: Match Funding is available from 10am each morning until the funding available for that day is all used up, so please be aware that donations made after that money has been used up will not be matched. A new tranche of matching funding becomes available at 10am each morning.
As of today (Tuesday) they have already raised a staggering £46,157 in donations and match funding, plus £4,563 of Gift Aid to come. Because the match-funding limit for the first two days has been reached, there is no more match funding available until 10am tomorrow morning.
Please consider making a donation tomorrow or Thursday and if you are able allowing gift aid too as then as well as doubling the amount of your donation and extra amount is added from the tax too all for free!
*Stop Press* As of 11:30am on Wednesday 7th December the maximum matching of £30K (therefore in excess of £60K actually raised!) has been reached.
Excellent news all round and many thanks to all who donated. Any donations made subsequently via the link above will not be matched but Gift Aid can still be added.
One of these days I’ll get around to visiting the Bluebell. Last time I went I was a kid, going with my parents on at least one occasion.
Hi Kelly, Thanks for your comments. I can not recommend the Bluebell Railway highly enough!
Yes, from my blurred childhood recolections it was rather good. I do intend to visit it again, probably with my friend Natalie, but it is the distance thats an issue sady for me due to health.