ScotRail has raised more than £50,000 in the first seven months of a charity partnership with Motor Neuron Disease Scotland
A transport company is on track to raise a bumper sum for medical research.
The ScotRail Alliance has already smashed its Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Scotland fundraising target for 2017/18 after just seven months.
The organisation raised £51,154 for charity partner MND Scotland between April and October this year - ahead of its target of £50,000 by March 2018.
Almost half of the total was raised by ScotRail staff, who took part in a wide range of fundraising events – including a sponsored skydive, walking over hot coals, and a staff football tournament.
When the partnership between the two organisations was announced in March, a target of raising £150,000 over three years was set.
Collection tins have been placed at every station ticket office in Scotland, and advertising spaces have been given to the charity free of charge. MND Scotland staff have also been issued with free on-duty travel passes, reducing their overall travel costs.
More money is expected to be raised next month, when a staff Christmas jumper day will be held in aid of the fight against motor neurone disease.
ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes said: “MND Scotland is an absolutely fantastic organisation that is doing some great work to support motor neurone disease patients and their families, as well as working to find a cure.
“I’m exceptionally proud of how much we’ve managed to raise for MND Scotland in just seven short months. It’s important that we do all we can to raise awareness of this cruel disease, and keep up the fight for a cure.”
Joe Pike, husband of the late Gordon Aikman, who died from motor neurone disease in February, said: “It is hugely impressive that the staff of ScotRail Alliance have raised so much so fast for MND Scotland.
“Every penny will go to helping those living with Motor Neurone Disease, as well as funding vital research, so we find a cure and others don't have to go through what Gordon did.”
