Sarah Hampton, the Secretary of Friends of Beeston Station has received national recognition from the Community Rail Network for the work she and FOBS have done in improving Beeston Station.
L-R Sarah Hampton and other FOBS volunteers at Beeston Station
Beeston Station also received a Silver Award in the ‘It’s Your Station’ category. The work of FOBS in upgrading the look and feel of the Station was recognized by the national judges. “This was a real credit to the hours of work that our dedicated members have put into the Station” said Trish Roberts-Thomson the Chair of FOBS.
Sarah Hampton received third place in the Outstanding Volunteer category at the national award ceremony held on the 9th December. This award recognised the significant contribution that individuals have played in supporting improvements to their Station and its environment.
Sarah said, “I am thrilled to have been awarded third place. It is a tribute to the hard work, support and friendship of the Friends of Beeston Station, who nominated me. No- one ever does anything alone”.
Sarah’s award also recognizes her commitment to disability issues. Sarah and FOBS are passionate about the need to make Beeston Station accessible to all who want to use rail travel.
With the announcement earlier in the year that Beeston Station has been awarded Access for All funding for lifts, FOBS is now looking forward to their installation at the station. They are expected by 2024.
This will mean that the Station is so much more accessible to those who have disability or health issues, or have buggies or heavy luggage, and cannot manage the stairs.
Sarah Hampton was a founder member of the Friends of Beeston Station (FOBS) when it was set up in 2017. The station had seen little investment for 25 years, but now, £1.2million has been earmarked for platform refurbishments and major accessibility improvements, including new lifts.
Sarah’s invaluable passion and commitment is described as “the glue that holds FOBS together”, and one colleague said: “Because of her extraordinary dedication and skills, we can look forward to a new phase in the station’s history.”
FOBS are delighted to celebrate Sarah’s success. In addition they would like to thank all those who have supported their work including both private individuals as well as businesses who have made public donations.
For more information on FOBS, please email: [email protected]