Jack Paul - **HAS LEFT**

Said the following about East Coast Christmas Charity Charter Train:

“I would like to nominate Jon Healey, Caroline Wilson, my dad Tony Paul and my mam Sarah Paul for this award.

Over the last few years my dad and Jon Healey have raised thousands of pounds to help vulnerable children who have been forced to run away from home due to physical, sexual or mental abuse via the Railway Children's Charity.

Late last year they came up with a great idea to raise loads of money. The then Managing Director of East Coast Karen Boswell was approached and asked if they could have a train for a day. What they wanted to do was run a one off Christmas Charter train from Newcastle to London and then back, to which Karen said yes.

Caroline and Jon then organised all the timetable, running, and decorating the train issues, my mam and dad were left with finding crew for the train. My parents managed to get nearly 20 volunteers who offered to do a full days work on a very, very busy train for free. My dad also drove the train home from London to Newcastle and my mam was one of the on board staff volunteers, as was I.

All the ticket sales went to the charity, the prices were amazing, a family of four could travel both ways in first class, including a full English breakfast going south and dinner with complimentary alcohol and soft drinks going north for a total of £200.00, a family of four could do the same journey in standard class for £100.00. All the tickets sold out within one week.

There was entertainment on the train throughout, including carol singers, Heart FM's Gary Phillipson travelled on the train, making the announcements, Elsa and Anna from Disney's Frozen sang through all the coaches and Santa gave presents to all the children.

There were various raffles, including one offering the chance for a cab ride.

All together in just one day they managed to raise well over £20,000.00, which is an incredible achievement when you consider the planning and everything involved was nearly all voluntary!“