Fundraising
Fundraising is essential for the West Somerset Railway Association, which has no other form of income, apart from membership fees.
Fundraising activities allow us to restore and maintain heritage locomotives and carriages and contribute to the rail and signalling infrastructure needed to run the trains.
Fundraising also allows us to engage with the local community and keep the heritage of the railway alive in Somerset.
Donation Choices
What to support
Our main fund, The Charity Fund, helps us to remain sustainable and respond to needs on the railway. It gives Trustees the freedom to use the funds where they are most needed.
If you prefer to donate to a specific project on the railway there are three long term funds restricted to specific project purposes, Carriage protection, Locomotive Restoration and Rail Renewal.
From time to time we also launch short-term fundraising campaigns for specific volunteer led projects on the railway.
Keep an eye on our Project pages and news items for up to date information or Join Us to receive our regular email newsletters.
Choose a one-time donation or regular giving
We are very gateful for one-time gifts, but a regular giving commitment helps us to plan projects and deliver in a timely and effective manner.
Ways of giving
Direct donations by card, cheque, BACS or standing order
It’s easy to donate directly to the WSRA.
Card payments can be taken over the phone Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 16:00. Simply call 01823 433856.
Cheque donations can be sent to WSRA, The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard TA4 3BX.
Single payments and regular payments can be made directly to our bank. Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-97-00 account no 00443258.
Please ensure that you let us know if you are making payments in this way, so we can thank you, direct your payments to the correct fund and claim any Gift Aid you have authorised.
paypal - make a one-time donation or set up regular giving to the main Charity Fund
Make a Donation to the WSRA Charity Fund HERE.
You can choose a single donation or a regular monthly contribution. A paypal account is not necessary and you can donate by card if you wish.
Please be aware that paypal does not collect GIFT AID on our behalf, like JustGiving does, so please make sure that you are registered with the WSRA for gift aid if you choose to donate via paypal.
Downloadable Gift Aid Declaration Form
JustGiving Checkout - Make a one-time donation or set up regular giving to a fund of your choice
Donate to the General Charity Fund via Justgiving HERE
Donate to Preserve and Protect our carriages HERE
Donate to restore our Locomotive 4561 HERE
Donate toward WSR Rail Renewal HERE
Donations via Justgiving can be anonymous if you wish and you can still include Gift Aid.
JustGiving Checkout delivers 100% of your donation to the WSRA, but you may be asked to make a discretionary contribution to checkout costs.
Thank you for your support.
Text Giving - one-0ff and recurring donations
- To donate £5 text STEAMTRAINS 5 to 70085
- To donate £10 text STEAMTRAINS 10 to 70085
- To donate £20 text STEAMTRAINS 20 to 70085
If you’d like to make a regular monthly donation by text simply text keyword STEAMAGAIN and your chosen amount to 70085.
Texts cost your chosen donation amount plus two standard rate messages and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work
and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give but do not wish to receive marketing communications, add NOINFO between your keyword and amount eg STEAMTRAINSNOINFO + amount or STEAMAGAINNOINFO + amount.
Thank you for you support.
A word about Gift Aid
Donating to the WSRA with Gift Aid means the charity can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you any extra.
You must be a UK taxpayer and you need to make a Gift Aid declaration for the charity to claim. You can do this by filling in a form – download one HERE if you are not already registered with the WSRA for gift aid.
You can backdate it to include all donations from the last 4 years, but you must tell the us about any tax years where you did not pay enough tax. For full details please visit the HMRC website.
When you donate directly to the WSRA, we will reclaim the gift aid from the government, using the personal details you have supplied. You can also gift aid donations made via partner websites like JustGiving. They will claim the gift aid and pass it on to the WSRA allowing you to remain anonymous if you wish.
Raising Free Donations for the WSRA
Many retailers participate in schemes to raise donations for charity. WSRA benefits from these schemes. Click on the logos below to find out how you can participate at no cost to yourself.
WSRA Long-term Funds
WSRA Charity Fund
Funds to sustain the charity and allow Trustees to respond to needs on the West Somerset Railway.
Locomotive Restoration
Funds to support steam locomotives on the West Somerset Railway.
Learn more HERE
Rail Renewal
Funds to support the ongoing renewal and repair programme for the WSR track.
Learn more HERE
Other ways to support us
Leave a gift in your will
Gifts in Wills can help the railway to survive and thrive, leaving a legacy for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
Find out more HERE
Join our 50:50 Club
The WSRA 50:50 Club is a fun way to contribute to the work of the WSRA whilst at the same time enjoying the chance to win prizes.
As the name suggests, the monthly contributions are split equally, with half going to support the WSRA and half going into the prize fund. Each month a draw is taken and there are six prize winners. Find out more HERE
Play the Somerset West Lottery
Somerset West Lottery was created in 2017 by Somerset West and Taunton Council.
Set up to support community projects in the local area, Somerset West Lottery operates on the principle of raising money within the community for the community. The Lottery empowers local good causes to raise money in a fun and effective way.
In a time of shrinking budgets and increased community need, Somerset West Lottery enables people to support the causes they care most about, helping good causes to connect with their supporters.
A ticket for Somerset West Lottery costs £1 a week and 60p will go directly to good causes!
For more information and to join the Somerset West Lottery visit https://www.somersetwestlottery.co.uk/ and choose the West Somerset Railway Association as your cause.
Shop online via easyfundraising
Raise donations for the WSRA when you shop online and experience real feel-good shopping.
Shop at via easyfundraising. For full details and how to select the WSRA as your chosen charity visit easyfundraising.org.uk
Trusts and Foundations
We gratefully acknowledge the support of :
- Swire Charitable Trust
- Anthony and Elizabeth Mellows Charitable Settlement
- Sir John and Lady Heathcoat Amory’s Charitable Trust
- Hinkley Point C Community Fund
- Co-op Community Fund
- Verina Black Charitable Trust
- The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
- Langford Lakes Farm
- Pilgrim Trust
- N.Smith Charitable Settlement
- The Veronica Awdry Charitable Trust
- Hilary Awdry Charitable Trust
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust
- Prudential (MGP Community)
- Medlock Charitable Trust
- Julia and Hans Rausing Trust
- The Card Factory
- Somerset Industrial Archeology Society
- Fairfield Charitable Trust
- George John and Sheilah Livanos Charitable Trust
- The Hobson Charity
- Britford Bridge Trust
- Calor Rural Community Fund
- Skipton Building Society
- Hastoe Housing Association
- National Lottery Awards for All
- Medlock Charitable Trust
- Transport Trust
- Tesco Groundworks
- Elmgrant Trust
- Aviva Community Fund
- Aurelius Charitable Trust
- Somerset Community Foundation (Covid Response Fund)
- Spark – Metal Health Support
- Peter and Teresa Harris Charitable Trust
- Clark Foundation
- Foyle Foundation
- M & G Multi-Asset Fund