Could you help us?

Help us reach East Grinstead

To celebrate 50 years of Bluebell Progress, the Railway has launched its 50th Anniversary Appeal - a new web site specifically for the appeal explains what the aims are. Please help us to achieve those aims!

Join us - Volunteer - Bluebell Trust (Donate) - Shareholder - Tenner for the Tip - Appeals - Shop and second hand - Used postage stamps - Printer cartridges and mobile phones - Easy Fund Raising - eBay

There are many way in which you could support the railway. First, though, it is probably useful to explain a little about our organisation. The Railway is essentially operated by its volunteers, managed by volunteer directors, most of whom are also Trustees of the Preservation Society (BRPS), who are elected by the membership. The Preservation Society is the majority shareholder in the not-for-profit company (Bluebell Railway PLC) which runs the railway, and thus BRPS controls the PLC.

Join the Society

The most fundamental support you can give is through joining the BRPS, and in this way you become a part of the heart of the Railway. It is from the large supporting membership that the railway draws its strength. In exchange for your membership you receive our quarterly magazine, Bluebell News and various other benefits as set out on the membership page.

Become a volunteer

Membership is a precondition of working on the railway as a volunteer. By becoming involved not only can you put a lot more into the railway, but you'll also get a lot out of it. Whilst the Railway has some full-time staff, most functions are undertaken by volunteers (and indeed many aspects are handled exclusively by volunteers). The railway could not operate without its volunteers. There is a niche for everyone, with an enormous variety of roles to be undertaken.

Support via the Bluebell Railway Trust

Our own Registered Charity, No.292497, The Bluebell Railway Trust is able to accept legacies, covenants, gift-aid donations or CAF vouchers, either for the Trust's general funds or for specific projects which fall within its remit. Some fund raising appeals are undertaken though the Trust, and the ability for the Trust to reclaim £25 of tax on every £100 given under Gift Aid, together with the potential projects which legacies (exempt of inheritance tax) enable us to undertake, are some of the principal benefits the Trust brings.
A donation form is available (you can specify which project you'd like the funds to go to) or you can give on-line.

50th Anniversary Appeal
Join us - Volunteer - Bluebell Trust (Donate) - Shareholder - Tenner for the Tip - Appeals - Shop and second hand - Used postage stamps - Printer cartridges and mobile phones - Easy Fund Raising - eBay

As a shareholder in the PLC

Although the BRPS is the majority shareholder in the PLC, many individuals, often also members of the Society, are also shareholders. This has been a useful method of raising capital for the expansion of the railway. The 2008 share offer has now closed, having raised significant capital towards the completion of the extension to East Grinstead.

Individuals are now able to purchase shares by instalments, or a lump sum payment from the society.

We also now have a "Tenner for the Tip" scheme, and in exchange for a donation, certificates are available via the Bluebell shop and booking offices, or on-line.

Support one of our Fund-Raising appeals

50th Anniversary Appeal
Extension to East Grinstead
Operation Undercover (for overhead cover for rolling stock)
Bluebell Railway Atlantic Group (to reconstruct a Brighton H2 Atlantic locomotive) - Specific components of the locomotive can be purchased.
Fenchurch Fund (now raising funds for overhaul of Loco SECR No.27)
Maunsell 7864 Group raising funds for the overhaul of SR Maunsell Restaurant Car No.7864
Maunsell Locomotive Society

Buy your railway books, videos and DVDs though our Shop at Sheffield Park, or
Second hand items are sold through the Carriage Shop at Horsted Keynes, with all profits going to projects on the railway.
Used book sales in aid of the Northern Extension take place at Kingscote on some special event days. Some of the books are sold by "Bluebell Volunteer" John Sisley on Amazon. Quality railway books in good condition, for sale in this way, can be left marked for John at Kingscote Station, or he is willing to collect locally.

Used Postage Stamps are collected for fund raising by Tony Pond, and can be sent to him at 26 Hesketh House, Cawte Road, Southampton SO15 3SN.

Alternatively, stamps can be left at the railway for the Maunsell Locomotive Society, in a suitably labelled box in the Waiting Room at Sheffield Park. The money raised by the MLS in this way at the present time will go towards the overhaul of SR Schools-class loco No.928 "Stowe".

Use EasySearch for your internet searches - we get money for every search you make! - bookmark this link.

Visit EasyFundraising (you need to sign up to support the Bluebell Railway). This is another way of supporting us at no cost to yourself. Through this portal you will find many on-line retailers, shops, hotels and other suppliers who are prepared to donate to us when you buy something through this link.

Recycling/Fundraising Scheme for Mobile Phones, PDAs, Printer Inkjet or Toner cartridges
As a fundraising initiative Phil Jemmison, a volunteer in the P-Way Department, is operating a scheme whereby all unwanted mobiles/PDAs and old printer/inkjet/toner cartridges (except Epson ink-jet cartridges) can be donated to the Railway in order that they may be exchanged for cash.
Should you have any unwanted mobiles/PDAs and old printer/inkjet/toner cartridges please drop them off at any of our Station Booking Offices. You should remove the SIM card from mobile phones. Leaving them at the railway ensures we can get the most money for them, however if this is not possible, request an envelope from Empty Cartridge using the link www.emptycartridge.co.uk/bluebell.

eBay for Charity
The Bluebell Railway Trust is set up as an eBay charity though MissionFish. Thus you can donate direct to us (with Gift Aid reclaim) though PayPal, buy something which supports the Trust, or sell in aid of the Trust. These three options are available though tabs on our eBay for Charity page.
If you are a seller, you can donate between 10% and 100% of the proceeds of the sale (5% to 100% on eBay Motors) - with a minimum donation of £1. Your listing fee is refunded, and we also get Gift Aid on your donation of the proceeds.
We also have our own charity seller account, though which railway and other magazines and books will be sold to raise funds for us. These are items given to the railway for sale, and which either cannot be easily sold in any other way, or where selling on eBay is likely to be advantageous.

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