Eight-year-old Severn Valley Railway enthusiast Alfie Hewish has now ‘bagged’ 67 footplates and cabs in his quest to raise money for the railway he loves. The youngster from Telford in Shropshire has so far raised almost £800 for the SVR’s Survival Fund appeal.

Alfie set himself the challenge of having his photograph taken on as many steam locomotive footplates and diesel locomotive cabs as he could, and his adventure has included attending both the SVR’s Autumn Steam Gala and Diesel Bash, and going much further afield as well.

“In the summer we managed to catch Sir Nigel Gresley at Shrewsbury,” explained Louise Hewish, Alfie’s mum. “Then a holiday to Cornwall meant we could visit the narrow-gauge railway at Lappa Valley and the standard gauge Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Everywhere we’ve been, the loco crews and station staff have been so helpful and enthusiastic.”

“Getting on the footplate of Flying Scotsman at Chester was amazing,” said Alfie. “I knew that I was standing on not just a bit of metal, but a bit of metal where Sir Nigel Gresley has probably stood on himself, and it’s one of the world’s most famous locomotives. I think I’ll keep going until I’ve reached 100 footplates!”

The SVR Charitable Trust has confirmed it has £457,000 secured in donations so far to the railway’s Survival Fund. The appeal, launched in April this year, aims to raise £1.5 million to help the SVR meet the challenges it has faced in recent years, as a result of the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, post-Brexit supply-chain issues and the cost-of-living crisis.

“The response of the thousands of people who’ve already donated to our appeal shows how important the SVR is to so many people,” said managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster. “Their support means a great deal and we are extremely grateful for it. There’s still a way to go however, and I would like to urge anyone who hasn’t yet donated, to add their support as soon as possible, if they’re able to do so.”

To support Alfie’s footplate challenge go to JustGiving.com or you can donate directly to the SVR’s Survival Fund at svr.co.uk.