Scarborough station fundraiser brings rail and lifeboat teams together

Volunteers from TransPennine Express and the RNLI joined forces at Scarborough railway station over the bank holiday weekend to raise funds and promote water safety.

The event, held on Saturday 4 April, saw staff and volunteers engaging with passengers, collecting donations and sharing safety advice with travellers heading to the coast. More than £100 was raised during the day.

The partnership between TransPennine Express and the RNLI was announced last year, alongside collaborations with St Abbs Lifeboat and Humber Rescue. The initiative aims to combine efforts to improve safety awareness, particularly for people travelling from inland areas to coastal destinations.

As part of the campaign, a dedicated water safety booklet has been produced and distributed at stations, helping families and young people better understand the risks associated with coastal visits and how to stay safe.

The partnership reflects the growing link between rail travel and coastal tourism, with many RNLI callouts involving visitors who have travelled from inland regions.

Andrew Watkins, Community & Development Manager at TransPennine Express, said:

“Many of our services connect inland communities to seaside destinations, so there’s a natural link between our role as a train operator and the incredible work these rescue organisations carry out. This is about more than just fundraising – it’s about raising awareness of water and rail safety and ensuring our customers have the knowledge to enjoy the coast safely. We’re proud to be working alongside our charity partners to protect lives and support the communities we serve. Volunteers will be out regularly at stations – so look out for them and help us raise money for a good cause.”

The fundraising day also coincided with a special Easter service organised by the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership, with families enjoying a visit from the Easter Bunny, who was joined by Stormy Stan, the RNLI’s mascot.

Image: TransPennine Express