RIA announces the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) as its chosen charity for 2020

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has announced that this year it will be supporting the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) as its chosen charity. RIA will support the RBF through its major events and dinners, including RIA’s prestigious Gala Dinner on the 13 February, its Innovation Conference on the 2-3 June and its Annual Conference on the 12-13 November, as well as other events and activities throughout the year.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said: “We are delighted to have the Railway Benefit Fund as our chosen charity this year.  They are a fantastic organisation that support railway people and their families during difficult times, providing assistance to those that need it most. We hope that RIA members, and all those that join us at a RIA event over 2020, will help us in supporting this important cause.”

Faye Jaques, Head of Fundraising and Engagement, from the Railway Benefit Fund said: “We are excited to be working with RIA as their chosen charity in 2020. We are the only charity that solely supports the UK Railway family and every penny raised will go towards helping them in times of need. This is a great opportunity for RBF to highlight the work we do to RIA’s members and we are looking forward to the year ahead.”

Notes to Editors

1. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. We promote and represent our members’ interests to policy makers, clients and other stakeholders in the UK and overseas. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people—more than the workforce of Birmingham. It is also a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). RIA works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry.
2. About RBF: Funded entirely by donations, the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) is the only charity dedicated solely to providing help and support to current and retired workers in times of need. Founded in 1858 we have been helping Railway families for over 160 years. We now focus on the modern needs and concerns of those working in the industry today, offering advice and financial support to those who need it. https://www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/