The Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (ESSCRP) provided festive fun for Essex families facing hardship with a series of special Santa train journeys.

The Community Rail Partnership organised the four trips in collaboration with the North Essex Support Team (N.E.S.T.) charity and train operator Greater Anglia. The trips took place on Saturday, 6 and 7 December.

Over two hundred adults and children travelled on the Christmas-themed train journeys, including people involved in community groups in Walton, Colchester and Harwich, and from local homeless shelters and women’s refuges.

On Saturday, 6 December, one group travelled from Walton-on-the-Naze to Colchester Town, a journey of sixteen miles (25 kilometres), while another group travelled on the reverse journey from Colchester to Walton. The next day, two more groups travelled on return trips between Harwich and Manningtree.

The trains’ carriages were decorated in a festive style, with passengers’ enjoyment enhanced by music and refreshments.

Santa and his elves gave gifts, sweets, drinks, colouring books and practical items such as toothbrushes to the children on the train. And once the journey was over, the children were able to choose a Christmas gift for their parents.

N.E.S.T. takes action to support people across north Essex who face hardship and vulnerability. It provides household items, home adaptations, winter warmer events, food support and other help. The charity provided all the presents were provided by N.E.S.T., which it paid for using funds that it had raised during the year.

Greater Anglia contributed to the cost of the train journey through its Customer and Community Improvement Fund.

The Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership organises and supports various community-focused initiatives in the area, including station adoption and wildlife-friendly stations.

“These festive rail trips gave around 50 families the chance to enjoy a truly special day out, something many of them simply wouldn’t be able to experience otherwise. Seeing the children’s excitement as they met Santa onboard was incredibly heartwarming, and we’re delighted to work with N.E.S.T. and Greater Anglia to make this happen.”

Jane Stewart, Community Rail Officer for ESSCRP