Charities come together to encourage applications for LNER Community Funding

Five charities who all made successful applications to the LNER Customer and Community Investment Fund have all spoken about the positive impact the funding has had on their local communities.

LNER is now accepting applications for 2026 funding. Small and medium-sized charities looking to deliver projects aligned with three key LNER values - better for planet, better for people and better for places are being encouraged to apply.

Awards of up to £10,000 are available to organisations based within 15 miles of the East Coast Main Line. Projects which help people develop skills, improve employment prospects, protect the environment, encourage sustainability, promote better mental health and benefit local communities have all previously received funding. The application window is open until 25 August 2025.

LNER received a record number of applications last year from more than 450 charities located along its almost one-thousand-mile route between the Scottish Highlands and London.

Scottish charity, LifeCare Edinburgh supports people living with dementia, and their carers. The charity’s ‘Caring Connections’ project received funding which enabling them to help more than 180 people over the past year.

Margaret Stewart, Head of Care Services for LifeCare Edinburgh, said: “The funding from LNER has enabled us to support older people in our community who are living with dementia, poor health or mobility. Through our ‘Caring Connections’ project we’ve been able to help people build friendships and feel connected to their community through activities such as seated exercise sessions, day trips to the beach and visits from a therapy pony. We’re grateful for the support from LNER and would encourage other charities to submit a bid for funding.”

North East-based dog befriending charity Wag and Company, who reduce loneliness and social isolation for older dog-lovers received funding which allowed them to recruit more volunteers and increase the number of home and care-setting visits they make.

Diane Morton, Founder and Chair of Wag & Company, said: “The LNER funding has enabled us to recruit 40 new volunteers and their dogs who’ve brought companionship, comfort, and joy to more than 200 older people across the North East. The new volunteer teams mean we can deliver an additional 3,000 individual visits, offering not just a friendly face and a wagging tail, but a vital lifeline. The LNER funding has made a real difference to so many people, and I would encourage other charities to submit a bid.”

Yorkshire-based conservation charity Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, who work to conserve, protect and restore wildlife and wild places received funding which helped to transform a piece of former arable land near Doncaster into a wildlife haven.

Sophie Pinder, Reserve Manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Thanks to generous funding from LNER, we’ve planted over 3,000 native hedge trees, created three new ponds, and installed benches and interpretation panels that invite people to connect with nature. We’re thrilled with visible benefits which have emerged for both wildlife and the local community. I would encourage other charities to submit a bid to the LNER Customer and Community Investment Fund.”

Nottinghamshire-based charity Citizens Advice Central Nottinghamshire received funding to update their Digital Mobile Hub, providing access to online services for those experiencing digital exclusion.

Neil Clurow, Impact and Evaluation Manager from Citizens Advice Central Nottinghamshire, said: “ Thanks to LNER, our mobile Digital Hub is back on the road. So many essential parts of our lives are conducted online, such as job applications, support, and training. Those who are digitally excluded can also pay more for goods and services. Our mobile Digital Hubs will increase people’s digital capability and skills and benefit our wider community. We’re grateful to LNER for its support and would encourage other organisations and charities to submit a bid to its Customer and Community Investment Fund.”

UK-wide charity The Launchpad Collective received funding for their ‘Futures Along the Track’ project which provides training and development opportunities to refugees and asylum seekers with the right to work in the UK.

Jane Lancashire from The Launchpad Collective, said: “The funding we’ve been awarded will enable us to deliver training to develop people’s digital skills, and provide vocational opportunities to refugees, asylum seekers, and young adults not in education, employment, or training. We applied for funding from the Customer and Community Investment Fund because our aims of promoting employability, education, and inclusivity closely aligned with the values of LNER. We’re thrilled to have been successful with our bid and would encourage other charities to apply.”

Rachael Wilson, Community Investment Manager at LNER, said: “Every year we receive applications from hundreds of charities and organisations, all of whom make a meaningful difference for customers and communities across our route. We’re incredibly proud to be able to support projects which have such a profound impact on people’s lives. We’re really looking forward to supporting more charities in 2026 and eagerly await those applications.”