Southern railway workers’ lip-synching video helps them raise £1,500 for NHS charities

Rail workers have taken part in a fabulous and fun lip-synching music video to Tony Christie’s classic song Amarillo to raise money for the NHS.
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The fundraiser was proposed and organised by GTR’s Southern rail enforcement officers, known as REOs.

Manager Wayne Harris said: “The NHS have done so much for everyone and have always been the backbone of the country, and this is our way of showing support for everything they have done. Obviously as key workers, we take immense pride in getting them to work.”

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In addition to the lip-syncing video, the team has taken further steps to raise funds, including dying their hair blue, hosting charity darts matches and quiz nights.

REO Paul Bedford, REO Manager Wayne Harris, REO Team Leader Tom Harvey and REO James Smedley sport blue hair at Brighton station. SUS-201106-174932001REO Paul Bedford, REO Manager Wayne Harris, REO Team Leader Tom Harvey and REO James Smedley sport blue hair at Brighton station. SUS-201106-174932001
REO Paul Bedford, REO Manager Wayne Harris, REO Team Leader Tom Harvey and REO James Smedley sport blue hair at Brighton station. SUS-201106-174932001

Furthermore, they plan to auction artwork created by other colleagues.

In total they have already raised nearly £1,600 for the NHS charities who help NHS staff and volunteers caring for Covid-19 patients, an impressive achievement in comparison to their original target of £500.

Speaking of the fundraising, Wayne added: “We’ve tried to keep our activities fun and light-hearted to give people a smile through these difficult times. We thought we would do well if we got anywhere near £500, so to raise more than £1,500 is absolutely amazing. The support we have had has been great and I can’t believe how well the video has gone down.”

Govia Thameslink Railway operate services in Sussex including Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express.

To support the REO team’s fundraising visit their JustGiving page here.