Tickets are now on sale for the Santa Express, with all profits going to Railway Children, a charity that has been supporting young people on the streets for more than 25 years.
Santa and his elves will be giving a present to each child on the train as they make their way through the carriages, chatting to guests as they go. Festive entertainment will also be provided as the Express travels through the Kent countryside.
Matthew Fraser, Community Relations Manager at Southeastern, said: “Santa’s reindeer have a very busy night coming up so we thought it was important for them put their hooves up and let the train take the strain. I hear Santa is keen to meet as many children as possible before the big day – he also loves having his photo taken so families are free to snap away.
“As well as being fun, the Santa Express will raise vital funds for Railway Children, one of Southeastern’s chosen charities that works to support young people who find themselves on the streets. The charity has helped more than 275,000 children in the UK, India and East Africa and we’re very pleased to be able to play a small part in that.”
The Santa Express will leave Maidstone West on Sunday, 18 December, at 11.28am and return at 1.05pm. The train will travel along the scenic Medway Valley Line to Strood, before doubling back along the line to Paddock Wood to reverse and return to Maidstone West.
On board assistance will be provided by elves from Southeastern and the Kent Community Rail Partnership, an organisation that improves community links with rail operators and initiates projects that make rail services more attractive to residents and visitors.
Family tickets are £50, adult tickets are £15 and those aged 5 to 17 years can travel for £12.50. Children under five years of age may accompany fare-paying adult passengers free of charge. All of the ticket sales will go directly to Railway Children.
More information and tickets are available at www.bit.ly/SoutheasternSantaExpress.
ENDS
