Fundraising at train stations

Only charities that are members of the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) and file their annual returns on time with the Charity Commission will be able to fundraise at more than 1,000 train stations in England and Wales under a new initiative to promote safer giving on the rail network.

The initiative was launched as part of an agreement between the Charity Commission and the FRSB and seven of the nation’s major rail and station operators, including Abellio Greater Anglia, FirstGroup, London Overground, London Underground, Network Rail, Northern Rail and South West Trains, which together manage about half of the train stations in England and Wales.

Charities fundraising at the designated stations will also need to complete a standardised application form, provide details of their collectors and planned collections at railway stations and inform the collectors of their obligation to maintain best practice standards for cash collections according to the Institute of Fundraising’s Code of Fundraising Practice.

Rail and station operators are also working closely with the British Transport Police to ensure that suspicious activity is promptly reported and investigated.