Table quiz fundraiser for flood-hit railway

Table quiz fundraiser for flood-hit railway

17 January 2024

A FUNDRAISING table quiz in aid of the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway’s flood appeal takes place on January 20.

The event – which is being organised by Downpatrick Lions Club – is being held at the Lakeside Inn and starts at 8pm.

At the start of the New Year, officials at the heritage railway have issued a fresh appeal for financial help as the charity battles to come to terms with a £3m repair bill following November’s devastating flood.

Officials – who are also appealing for new volunteers – are asking for help as they attempt to not only reopen for business, but preserve a piece of unique living history for future generations.

November’s flood, which also decimated town centre businesses, left the hugely popular heritage railway under water with officials working to navigate the aftermath of the catastrophic incident which they say has left the organisation in a state of “disarray and threatening its entire future”.

Railway chairman, Robert Gardiner, said the flood left a trail of devastating destruction in its wake.

“The water has resulted in substantial damage, necessitating urgent repairs to our locomotives, carriages, track, bridges, platforms, and buildings,” he revealed. 

“The financial burden is substantial with our insurance assessors estimating unavoidable costs exceeding a quarter of a million pounds.

“It is a monumental task to just return the railway to the state it was only a few weeks ago and back to safe and operational condition, ensuring our long-term viability and continued contribution to our community.”

Mr Gardiner said while the government has offered some limited financial support, the local charity has yet to see if the not-for-profit organisation will even qualify, even though the money will be inadequate to deal with the challenge ahead. 

And he is hoping the railway’s community of supporters will weigh in with their help to allow officials to rebuild and restore the hugely popular facility to its former glory.

Mr Gardiner said people’s donation, no matter the size, will have a “significant impact”.

He continued: “It will contribute to repairing the damage and ensuring that our beloved railway remains a source of pride for generations to come.

“Please consider making a contribution to our flood repair fund. Your support will not only help us recover from the immediate impact of the flood but also enable us to continue offering a unique and enriching experience to visitors in the years ahead.”

Shortly before Christmas it was revealed that a damage report from a specialist railway engineering firm in England estimated that repairing the fleet of almost 30 vehicles to their pre-flood condition would be over £2.3m.

Officials are suggesting that the railway is “unlikely to fully recover without significant support” and that it may be time to consider a new era with less vehicles in use or kept stationary.

Texts to the appeal fund cost the value of the donation plus one standard rate message.

To make a donation directly, text RAIL to 70450 to donate £10, RAIL20 to 70450 to donate £20 orany other amount, for example, RAIL15 to donate £15.  The maximum donation by text is £20.

Donors will get an acknowledgement and be invited to fill in a Gift Aid declaration to increase the value of your donation, while cheques can be made payable to Downpatrick and County Down Railway Society. 

Full donation details are on the heritage railway’s Facebook page, while to book a table for the forthcoming table quiz for a maximum of six people, email lakesideinn@btinternet.com.