We are proud to announce our first corporate charity partnership with Community Rail Network - the umbrella body for a unique and growing grassroots movement composed of 76 community partnerships and 1,200 volunteer groups across the UK.
The year-long partnership combines a significant financial donation with collaboration on Community Rail Network awareness and fund-raising events and activities.
Neil Micklethwaite, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CMAC Group said:
“We’re very excited to announce our first corporate charity partnership with Community Rail Network, an organisation which uses railways, stations and rail travel, as a platform from which to contribute social, environmental, and economic value to local areas and communities.”
"CMAC has been an active and enthusiastic contributor to many good causes throughout our sixteen-year history. We see the new corporate partnership as an extension of our existing involvement in local and nationwide charity activities. It also offers an opportunity to put our rail and transport industry expertise to good use in a cause that reflects our company values.”
“We looked at several charities before deciding to partner with an organisation that shares our commitment to safe, accessible, and sustainable rail travel. We’re looking forward to working with Community Rail Network, and the rail industry, to promote an understanding of the importance of local railways and sustainable travel and, above all, help give individuals and communities a voice in future rail and transport development.”
“One of the many factors that makes Community Rail Network stand out from the “competition” is the imaginative way in which the organisation has expanded beyond involving local people in the improvement and maintenance of railway stations to using the same railways stations as a community hub in areas which, increasingly, lack any sort of centre or space in which people can gather.”
“We were particularly impressed by Community Rail’s success in using railway stations as the focal point for the delivery of a wide range of community-led services and support initiatives tackling issues such as loneliness, mental and physical wellbeing and, most recently, engaging people in post-Covid lockdown recovery projects.”
“As a company that organises thousands of pick-ups for rail travellers every year, we applaud Community Rail’s commitment to improving and maintaining the buildings and amenities at railway stations. Accessible, comfortable, and attractive stations not only play a key role in the provision of a high-quality, enjoyable, and safe travel experience, they can also encourage more people to travel by rail.”
Jools Townsend, Chief Executive of Community Rail Network, said:
“Community Rail Network is all about empowering communities, bringing people together, and increasing access to sustainable travel and the opportunities it opens. We support and champion hundreds of volunteer groups and community organisations across Britain running diverse activities like rail confidence schemes for young people, community events, arts projects and gardening at stations, and initiatives to link up rail with buses, walking and cycling to make green and healthy journeys easier."
"We depend on grants, donations and sponsorship from government and organisations that share our passion for community rail and making a difference to communities. We are delighted to welcome CMAC as a corporate partner and look forward to working with them to help community rail develop, and to advance sustainable, accessible, community-friendly transport.”