ELR Support Fund

“It’s vital that we protect our heritage railway in these frightening times. The ELR will always have my full support because of the joy it has brought to so many people over the years and this must continue!”

Councillor Billy Sheerin, Mayor of Rochdale.

“We need your help to survive, please go to the East Lancs Railway Support Fund and pledge as much a you can afford. We need this for our future. Thank you”.

Peter Waterman OBE

In light of recent government advice and the developing situation with Covid-19 (Coronavirus) the East Lancashire Railway has had to make the difficult decision to cease all services and close all stations from Friday 20 March until further notice.

The East Lancashire Railway considers the health of our visitors, staff and volunteers a number one priority. As such, the move has been made to close the railway for the time being.

The ELR is a registered charity (1186648) and closure is set to have a heavy influence on the railway’s future, resulting in reduced services, cancelled events and more.

We are facing a number of  serious challenges going forwards:

• As of yet the Government has not offered any kind of monetary aid or support to charitable organisations
• The help that is currently available would see the railway become heavily indebted, it would be several years before the railway would be able to pay this off

The amount the railway is set to lose over the coming weeks could threaten the continued existence of the ELR. That is why we need your support to survive.

We are asking you if you can help us keep the story of the regions industrious past going well into the future, letting us keep our current level of service and standard of events once the current crisis is over.