North Yorkshire Moors Railway is pleased to announce that it has now received the go-ahead from HM Revenue & Customs to be able to offer Gift Aid and claim 25% tax back from donation tickets. Visitors buying the donation fare ‘Freedom Ticket’, which is 10% more than the basic ticket, will allow them to hop on and off and experience the whole railway. As part of the ‘Freedom Ticket’, passengers paying the donation fare will also be given a voucher for 15% of the amount paid to use on the day in the railway’s gift shops or tea rooms. 

NYMR Finance Director, Garry Mumford said: “Gift Aid is a means by which a charity can reclaim the basic rate tax that the donor has paid on their donation. This has the effect of increasing the value of your donations by 25% at no extra cost to visitors experiencing the whole line from Pickering to Whitby.

“The agreement from HM Revenue & Customs means that this will generate a considerable amount of additional income, which will contribute toward the continued preservation of the railway for future generations to enjoy. The ability to Gift Aid will help the charity to continue to provide a high quality, safe and authentic evocation of the steam age for all to enjoy”.

Passengers will be able to purchase a ‘Freedom Ticket’ from the start of the season, with trains operating daily from 6^th April. To Gift Aid your donation, you must be a UK Taxpayer and complete a Gift Aid declaration. Donation ‘Freedom Tickets’ fares start at £36.30 and are available from the Booking Offices or www.nymr.co.uk.

HM Revenue & Customs has agreed in writing with the NYMR that a ticket purchased which entitles the purchaser to unrestricted access to the public areas and timetabled trains of the NYMR for a day (our Freedom Ticket) can be donated and will qualify for this exemption. This only applies where the primary purpose of the visitor is to view the property and work of the charity, not any other purpose.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is an award-winning charitable trust that carries 300,000 unique passengers every year. It is Britain’s most popular heritage railway and is one of the best visitor attractions in the North East. 

The NYMR trust relies heavily on donations and the work of its many volunteers. The 180-year old railway needs to raise £1million by 2022 so its railway bridges and its 50-100-year-old vehicles can remain viable.

• The NYMR cares for operating and developing the railway it owns from Pickering to Grosmont in accordance with its charity objectives.
• The heritage railway operates over Network Rail from Grosmont to Whitby.
• The charity provides a high quality, safe and authentic evocation of the steam age for the public.
• The NYMR is an Educational Charitable Trust. Providing education for all ages.
• The railway is a fully accredited museum.

 Photography Credit: Simon Abbott