VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
29th October 2009

Local Volunteers from Mobberley were supported by their Cheshire East Councillor when they took positive action on their stations as part of CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK's single biggest day of volunteering.

At Mobberley members of the local Village Society look after the station. They weed and tidy the flower beds. The platforms and waiting shelters are also swept clean.

Cllr George Walton joined the volunteers on Make A Difference Day to give them their support.

Volunteers took part to show the positive impact that giving time to benefit others could have, and to show the importance of community spirit in tough times.

The volunteers are "friends" of stations on the Mid Cheshire Line and give their time regularly to care for flower beds and planters at the stations. They also collect litter and report issues through their station adopter to the train operator - Northern Rail.

Sally Buttifant, the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Officer said "Each week there are many volunteers supporting the Mid Cheshire Line, working with partners to care for our stations and improve rail services. They make a huge difference and are unsung heroes. I joined the team at Mobberley and would like to say a special thank you to those that turn out from the Mobberley Village Society".

John Hulme, Organiser of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, said "The Village Society have been caring for the Station for some years now. In 2004, they were Cheshire's Best Kept Railway Station". Back in 2004, there were only a handful of stations in the Cheshire Best Kept Station Competition. Now we have 30 stations involved. I thank the Village Society for setting an example for other Community Groups in Cheshire to follow".

Click the picture to enlarge which shows Sue Alboutany, Cllr George Walton and Gary Baron at Mobberley Railway Station.

Friends of the Mid Cheshire Line have also been supporting the CSV Make a Difference Day at Cuddington, Greenbank, and Plumley Railway Stations.

Take a look at their Stations (from the left) to see what volunteering can achieve in the Community.