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While actively discouraging begging on trains and stations, South West Trains recognises that homelessness is a big problem and that initiatives such as Health Week are vital. That's why the company recently made a donation of £1,000 to The Big Issue Foundation to support last year's event, which was held from 27 November to 1 December.
"We delivered essential services to 275 vendors across London," explains Anthony North, the charity's head of fund-raising. "And the financial support provided by South West Trains enabled us to buy items of new clothing for our vendors, including underwear, socks and gloves, and toiletries, such as soap, shampoo, shower gels and tissues. We would like to thank everybody at South West Trains for their support."
How you can help
If you would like more information on what you can do to help The Big Issue Foundation, please call 020 7526 3200 or visit www.bigissue.com.
Going for gold
A judo enthusiast is heading off to the Special Olympics World Championship Games in Shanghai this October to represent his county after a £4,000 donation from South West Trains.
The money, together with more than £500 raised through friends and local MP Ian Taylor, means that Liam Duhig, the son of South West Trains' medical administrator Terry, can take part in the games this year.
Surrey-based Liam, pictured above, suffers from dyspraxia, a type of autism. Since joining Westerleigh Special Needs Judo Club at the age of 16, he has risen rapidly to the top of his sport. He won a silver medal in the European Championships in Sweden in October 2004, and achieved gold at the Great Britain Summer Games in July 2005.
"One of Liam's specialists felt that judo would help improve his coordination problems," explains Liam's father Terry. "This sponsorship is absolutely superb. Let's hope we now see Liam coming back with a medal around his neck!"
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