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Wednesday 11 Dec 2013

Celebrating Christmas at Birmingham New Street

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Passengers using Birmingham New Street this Christmas will be able to get presents for loved ones wrapped before they catch their train thanks to a ‘Charity Wrap and Go’ service at the station.

Over 30 staff from the station, the project team redeveloping the station, retailers and train operating companies have volunteered to run the service on the 12 & 13 and 16-20 December, which will offer Christmas gift wrapping and made to order hampers for passengers travelling through the station between 12.30-6.30pm.

Items will be gift wrapped for £1.50 and £5 to make up a hamper, with all proceeds from the event donated to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Macmillan.

A number of items have been donated for the charity raffle by the retailers and train operators in the station, including perfume and toiletries from Boots, games, books and stationery from WH Smiths and Funky Pigeon, Christmas food goodies from M&S, exotic Christmas coffees and mugs from Starbucks and Mexican beers and salsas from Mi Casa, these items are also on offer from station retailers for those looking for special gifts this Christmas.

Meena Cook, from Network Rail’s station retail team, said: “We are all delighted to be taking part in this event to mark the first Christmas at the new Birmingham New Street station and our people have really been getting into the spirit of the occasion. It’s great that we’re partnering the event with Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Macmillan, two charities of significance to the staff working on the station redevelopment, and we’re all looking forward to taking part.”

Emma Bryant, corporate partnerships manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, commented: “Every year there are over 240,000 patient visits to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Many of those children and young people face incredibly difficult circumstances and their stories of courage, determination and hope are truly amazing. Our medical and nursing teams provide the best possible treatment and world-class care, but we want to do so much more to improve the environment for our children, young people and their families whilst they are here.

“We’re delighted to have been chosen by staff at New Street station as the local charity to benefit from the proceeds from this great event and wish them all a very Merry Christmas!”

Emily Morgan, fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in south Birmingham, added: “Thank you to everyone at Network Rail for supporting us this Christmas. Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face and no one should face it alone, particularly at this time of year. Supporting the wrap and go event will make a big difference to our work and you’ll get some beautifully wrapped presents too!”

The Charity Wrap and Go stand will be located in the main station concourse, opposite the ticket office and next to the Christmas tree on the 12 & 13 December then 16-20 December between 12.30-6.30pm. The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station completes in full in 2015.