Simon Holdsworth, a train driver for CrossCountry in Newcastle, has been rewarded for his work in raising money for a cancer charity in the north east.
Simon, who lives in Rowlands Gill, won a Platinum Arriva Community Action Award after being selected by Arriva for his work in supporting The Kim Trinder-Bywater Cancer Foundation. Over the last four years Simon has organised various fundraising events, and in September he took part in the Great North Run to raise money. Simon, who is also the charity’s chairman, trustee and webmaster, has helped raise in excess of £40,000. This money has helped to provide induction machines, an operation camera system and remote control beds to local cancer departments.
On receiving his reward Simon said: “This is a very unexpected surprise to have been selected for this Award. I am very grateful to Arriva for the donation of £2000 to the Kim Trinder-Bywater Cancer Foundation. This will be put to great use and help many cancer patients within our community.”
CrossCountry’s Head of Safety Sean Forster presented Simon with his award, which includes a donation of £2,000 to The Kim Trinder-Bywater Cancer Foundation. Sean said: “We work to positively contribute to the communities that we operate in. The awards scheme recognises the contribution that people like Simon make to their local community in their own time, outside of work.
“We have lots of employees that find the time and energy to support local initiatives and charities so it is great to be able to officially recognise their efforts and provide the organisation they support with some practical, financial support.”
The Arriva Community Action Awards aims to recognise the valuable contribution employees make outside their working life in their local communities through voluntary work for charities or non-profit making organisations.
The Awards are open to all UK employees in the Arriva group. As part of the Arriva Community Action Awards employees can apply to win a Platinum (£2,000), Gold (£1,000), Silver (£500) or Bronze (£250) award for the charity or organisation they support. Winners are also presented with a certificate recognising their contribution and a Christmas hamper for them and their family to enjoy.
