Recruitment
“Ken Fox is a Cork based loco driver for Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail. In 2015 he decided to try and raise some money for the Dublin based Pieta House charity that supports persons in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm. Being a steam enthusiast (and an IÉ steam loco trained driver), Ken decided to produce a calendar of steam loco photos and sell them to friends and colleagues and the idea was an instant success! The calendar was produced again in 2016 and in 2017, when some €4000 was raised - €1930 from Irish Rail and €2070 by sales by Ken and colleagues. The 2018 edition is already in the planning stage!
Suicide on the railway is sadly not uncommon and affects many people, especially staff who have to deal with the often traumatic consequences. In 2015 alone, in excess of 5,000 people came to Pieta House suffering from suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm - a staggering number. The organisation also operate Suicide Bereavement Counselling centres in Ireland providing free counselling, therapy and support to individuals, couples, families and children who have been bereaved by suicide. It is a very fitting charity for the railway community to support and Ken's involvement in fund raising will directly help many people.“
“Ken has earned and deserves this award for the work he does for Charity, he has done a lot of work for 1 charity in question which is Pieta house who assist with suicide prevention and for the families of suicide victims. A more worthy candidate you could not find.“
“Ken has spent the last couple of years selling a charity calendar of railway photography for Pieta House.
Much time and effort has been spent doing this good work but Ken is very modest about the effort he has put in“
“With over 25 years railway experience, Ken as seen first-hand the traumatic effect suicides on the railway can have on his colleagues and friends. When a friend approached Ken about a charity calendar, he suggested Pieta House, who specialise in helping those with suicidal tendencies and their families.
As Ken is one of the two steam loco drivers in the Republic, it was an obvious choice to feature steam trains for the calendar!
In the last two years the calendar has sold out and proven very popular with enthusiasts and staff alike. Such is the popularity of the calendar that railway photographers submitted their photos late last year for the 2018 one.
As a company, Irish Rail was very impressed with Ken's effort and commitment, as it’s something it also strives to heighten awareness of.
As a result, both the CEO and the PR Dept helped publicise the calendar throughout the company as well as making a significant contribution to the fund. They have also committed to help promote and sell next year’s one.
Ken has worked tirelessly and given so much of his time in raising money to heighten awareness about such a difficult issue, so it would be a fitting recognition for him to receive this award for all his effort.“
“All of our guests had a great night and we're very interested in sponsoring the Awards next year...”
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