Aviation Society helps Downpatrick Railway

Aviation Society helps Downpatrick Railway

29 November 2023

THE Downpatrick and Co Down Railway’s fundraising appeal has been boosted by the Ulster Aviation Society.

The organisation has donated over 50 railway books for railway officials to sell as part of its flood recovery appeal.

Railway chairman, Robert Gardiner, said the charity is facing its “biggest ever crisis” after the recent devastating flood left it with an estimated repair bill of £250,000.

The heritage railway bore the full front of the devastating flood after the Quoile river burst its banks and engulfed the Lower Market Street car park facility, before flood water swamped the town centre.

Contaminated flood water caused substantial damage to rolling stock and infrastructure with Mr Gardiner, admitting “it’s a long road ahead” but hopes that with the public’s help and support, it can recover from “its darkest hour”.

He is also delighted with the community response to date to the appeal which he described as “overwhelming” and that the support is greatly appreciated.

The appeal fund was launched to help the railway to get back to full steam.

Mr Gardiner —  who recently welcomed Shadow Secretary of State Hilary Benn to the railway to view the damage caused by the flood — said he thought “long and hard” about sharing details of its flood recovery appeal for help on social media.

He also revealed that the railway may not qualify for the initial £7,500 payment made available to organisations impacted by the flood as it is a charity.

“I really, really don’t want to appear or even suggest like the floods were all about us, I truly don’t,” said Mr Gardiner, who recently posted a short video to illustrate just how the floods have affected the railway,

“We’re certainly not asking for donations from people also affected,” he continued.

As well as welcoming Lord Caine and Hilary Benn to the railway, Senator Niall Blaney also visited to see the devastation.

Mr Gardiner said given the significance of the heritage railway’s collection from both a UK and an Irish perspective, it is very welcome to see the level of interest in its recovery work from Stormont, Westminster and Dublin.

But he said the hard work starts now to recover from the devastating flood, explaining volunteers have been involved in initial recovery work after the disastrous flooding.

Mr Gardiner said the railway’s volunteers need all the support they can get and if anyone wants to donate to the flood recovery appeal they can do so by visiting https://www.downrail.co.uk/appeal/ or by texting RAIL to 70450 to donate £10 or text RAIL20 to 70450 to donate £20.