Customers of Hull Trains who claim compensation for train delays can now choose to donate their Delay Repay funds to charity.

Hull Trains’ new official charity partner for 2025 is P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery, which supports people across the Humber region affected by acquired brain injury. P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery is based in Hull, and has recently expanded its support to cover communities in north and northeast Lincolnshire, and has ambitions to support people further afield.

The new scheme will allow customers to opt for the delay compensation to be sent directly to the charity. Hull Trains operates trains between Hull and London King’s Cross, stopping at Grantham in Lincolnshire, and serving other stations on the East Coast route, including Doncaster and Beverley.

The founder and CEO of P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery is Paul Spence. In 2012, Paul suffered a brain haemorrhage when he was the victim of an unprovoked attack. After he was discharged from a high dependency unit, he and his family faced a long and challenging road to recovery, and quickly realised that support available in the community was sadly lacking.

Paul managed his challenges by practising good coping strategies and following a healthy lifestyle to manage, but wanted to share his experiences and help others. That prompted him to establish the charity, which culminated in 2016 with the opening of the P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery centre as an access point in the community where people can get support and guidance after suffering a brain injury.

“We’re over the moon to be Hull Trains’ new annual charity partner for this year. This partnership promises to be mutually beneficial, giving Hull Trains staff the opportunity to engage in a range of P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery events and initiatives. We deeply value their support and look forward to working closely with their team.”

Paul Spence

During Dementia Action Week in May, Hull Trains partnered up with the Alzheimer’s Society to provide some people with dementia, some of whom hadn’t been on a train in years, with a return trip to Doncaster. Also in May, Hull Trains celebrated ‘Bee Lady Day’, that recognises older individuals who are making a difference with a trip to Doncaster for afternoon tea and other activities.

“The focus and determination that the P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery team have to make a difference to the local community is very inspiring. I’m really pleased that we’re able to give our customers an easy way to support the great work they do, by directly donating any Delay Repay funds. This is just the start of our partnership with the charity across the year and we look forward to working with them to spread the word about the important work they do.”

Stuart Jones, Managing Director of First Rail Open Access