There are a host of worthy causes that can inspire individuals and businesses into action, but those related to the sobering subject of cancer make a particular connection, as there are few families that have been spared the trauma of having a loved one in some way affected by the terrible disease.
Although it’s difficult to make any measurable differences on the medical side, providing help on almost any basis has a huge impact at a personal level, which is greatly valued by those involved, and one such example is the Stapleford Miniature Railway and its support for LOROS (the Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering).
The Friends of the Stapleford Miniature Railway (FSMR) is a voluntary body, in conjunction with the Gretton Family, which is dedicated to maintaining the railway in an operational capacity for the purpose of occasional public and private events. All proceeds over and above the cost of maintaining and running the railway are donated to charity.
The FSMR – www.fsmr.co.uk – has been associated with fundraising for LOROS ever since the railway first reopened to the public for the first Stapleford Steam event in the summer of 1995. As well as the two annual public events, the FSMR raises money in other ways for LOROS. The occasional “great train robberies” which sometimes can occur at the SMR, on private invitation days, are also very entertaining as well as raising money.
In addition, its President, Jennifer Lady Gretton, is the current President of LOROS.
Ecobat Battery’s Mark Allsopp is also involved with FSMR and its support for LOROS, and he recently spotted an opportunity for Ecobat Battery to step in and provide a practical solution to a growing issue facing the railway and its enthusiastic, but aging, volunteers.
The braking system for the coaches running on the line had been relying on three rather heavy lead acid batteries, which had started to be a problem when they had to be lifted out to charge and maintain them. Ecobat Battery’s solution was to donate three of its own brand lithium EBL100 batteries, which being about half the weight of the previous batteries, not only solved the lifting issue, but as they have a much longer lifespan, also provided a long term resolution to the matter.
As a result, the team responsible for ensuring the railway is operating correctly, have one less thing to concern themselves with and the FSMR can continue to support LOROS, and add to the enormously impressive £109,000 that it has already provided to the charity!
The Stapleford Miniature Railway is open to the public on 14th & 15th June, 26th & 27th July and 23rd & 24th August, with full details available on the organisation’s website. For further details, please visit Ecobat Battery at: https://www.ecobatbattery.com/brands/ecobat-2/
This article appeared in the May 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.