Miniature Railway fun day is back on track to raise hospice funds

Plans for a charity fun day Brookside Miniature Railway are steaming ahead with the aim of raising funds for seriously ill children and their families.

After the success of the event last year that raised £3,500 for Francis House Children’s Hospice, the event is scheduled for a return trip on Sunday March 9.

For more than 40 years Brookside Miniature Railway has been delighting families with charming railway rides around the Brookside Garden Centre site in Poynton.

Keeping the service running smoothly is a band of cheerful volunteers who lovingly tend to the tracks and engines and keep the station looking tip top.

Value for money train rides at just £2.50 a ticket and regular charity event days bring joy to young and old and help to support the local community.

When Chris Mackenzie MBE and Lee Oxle, directors of the railway, approached Francis House Children’s Hospice to be a beneficiary of their next charity fun day, staff at the hospice jumped at the chance to come on board.

All proceeds from train fares collected on the day along with a mini fairground and charity raffle will go to Francis House. The much-loved Manchester hospice supports more than 600 families of children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

Kate Puc, fundraising officer of Francis House said: “A huge thank you to Chris McKenzie MBE and Lee Oxley and the Miniature Railway committee for choosing to support Francis House Children’s Hospice as their charity once again. The annual fun day brings families together to enjoy a day out whilst supporting a worthy cause.”

Indie rock band the Blossoms released a single in 2024 ‘Gary’ which features scenes filmed at the garden centre including pop singer Rick Astley riding around on the Brookside railway.

Brookside Miniature Railway is at Brookside Garden Centre, London Rd N, Poynton, Stockport SK12 1BY.

For more information contact brooksidemr@btinternet.com or call Chris McKenzie on 075018 71703.