We have been actively supporting the people, places and communities we serve, including launching our Feel Good Futures programme, commemorating Railway 200, raising money through two Railway Children challenges, and supporting projects through our Community Rail Partnerships.
Wigan Landmarks Celebrated in New Station Mural
We’ve come together to celebrate Wigan’s rich history and heritage with the unveiling of a brand-new mural at Wigan North Western station.
As part of a community effort led by the South East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership (CRP), the Wonders of Wigan mural brings to life 25 of our town’s most iconic landmarks through powerful black-and-white ‘then and now’ images. From Haigh Hall to Wigan Pier and our local railway stations, we’ve highlighted places that matter most to us, with nominations coming directly from the community.
Local artists, students, and renowned photographer Frank Orrell collaborated to create this meaningful tribute to Wigan’s past and present. With support from Avanti West Coast via its Community Rail Project Fund, we’ve also included QR codes to share the stories behind each landmark.
Located at the station underpass, the mural is not just a piece of art, it’s a welcoming gateway for everyone arriving in Wigan. This project also marks the 200th anniversary of the UK railways and follows the success of our much-loved Wiganese mural from 2021.
For more information, visit: Wonders of Wigan
Feel Good Futures initiative has launched
We have launched Feel Good Futures, a year long initiative aimed at educating students aged 14–18 about the rail industry and its career opportunities.
The first trip saw pupils from The Heath School in Runcorn visit Liverpool Traincare Centre to learn about train maintenance and engineering from industry professionals.
Led by Community Rail Lancashire’s David Savage, Feel Good Futures is part of the UK’s Railway 200 celebrations, connecting students to the history and future of rail.
The programme focuses on inspiring young people, especially those who may not typically have access to such experiences, by showing the range of roles available, from engineering to customer service and sustainability.
Avanti West Coast Teams Complete Consecutive Peak Challenges in Support of Railway Children
Throughout May and June 2025, teams from Avanti West Coast undertook two major endurance challenges in support of Railway Children, a charity that provides vital support to vulnerable children at risk of homelessness in the UK, India, and Tanzania.
In May, four colleagues, Amy Moore (HR Admin Team Lead), Paul Mills (Senior IT Project Manager), Margaret Dzikiti (IT Project Manager), and Lauren Plant (Senior Research Executive), successfully completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Covering 24 miles across Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough in just 13 hours, the team raised over £2,000. Their efforts contributed to a wider initiative that generated more than £30,000, with participation from 70 colleagues, including members of West Coast Partnership Development.
Building on this momentum, a second group, Craig Mortiboys (Regional Growth Manager), Andy Doyle (Head of Operational Readiness), Lucy Weilding (Governance Coordinator), and Sandi Sidhu (Performance Project Manager), took on the National Three Peaks by Rail Challenge in June. Over the course of three days, the team climbed Snowdon, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis, travelling between each peak by rail. The challenge tested both physical endurance and team resilience, while raising further funds and awareness for the charity.
These back-to-back initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting social impact through employee-led action. We are proud of our colleagues’ dedication and grateful to our wider community of supporters who helped make these fundraising efforts a success.
