Member News
As a sponsor at this year's Charity Champion awards, ePolitix.com speaks to Edward Welsh, Director of Corporate Affairs at Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) about the importance of charity.
ATOC are sponsoring the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2011 Charity Champion Awards, could you tell us a little about the organisation?
There are over 1.3billion passenger journeys each year in England, Scotland and Wales provided by a number of franchised and open access operators.
It is ATOC's job to promote passenger rail to Parliament, government and business, while providing key services to passengers including the railcards scheme, providing discounted travel to disabled passengers, families, younger people and the over-60s. We also provide a special discount railcard for members of HM Armed Forces and their families.
Britain's rail network serves almost all mainland constituencies, supporting millions of businesses, commuters and leisure travellers, as well as the majority of MPs. Our aim in working with MPs is to show how operators provide low-cost, high-speed, low-carbon and high-capacity transport for millions of their constituents.
Why do you think it is important to have MPs who are willing to go the extra mile to support charitable causes?
Aside from the huge challenge of fundraising during harder economic times, as people are bombarded with messages through their phones, TVs and computers, it can be hard for many worthwhile causes to get noticed. MPs provide both a local and national platform, and can give those charities struggling to make their voice heard a huge boost.
Why is ATOC supporting this year's Charity Champion Awards?
ATOC is thrilled to be supporting the Charity Champion Awards, recognising the great contribution parliamentarians make.
The railways are a close-knit industry with a really impressive record of supporting and taking part in charity events.
ATOC and many of its members support the Railway Children charity, which helps abandoned and vulnerable children and young people around the world.
In fact, at the end of June, I will be doing the three peaks challenge for the Railway Children, climbing Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis - as long as my knees hold out.
Why does ATOC think it is important to recognise the charitable work of parliamentarians?
Many MPs and peers work tirelessly on behalf of charities, and it's important to recognise that, but of course it's really about highlighting the work of millions of people across the country who give their time, money and effort to helping those who need support.
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