What Happens When LNER And Network Rail Finance Teams Volunteer At A Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve?

Ever wondered what people who work with numbers all day do to get away from their desks? You might picture them poring over sudoku puzzles or maybe just catching up on telly. But for the finance teams from London North Eastern Railway and Network Rail, a day out of the office looked a bit different. They swapped their calculators for gardening gloves and their spreadsheets for spades to volunteer at a brilliant Yorkshire nature reserve.

It's a story about teamwork, community spirit, and getting a bit muddy for a great cause. This wasn't just any day out; it was a mission to help the fantastic Yorkshire Wildlife Trust get one of its key sites ready for visitors.

From spreadsheets to spades

Imagine the scene. People who usually spend their days analysing figures and managing budgets are suddenly outside, knee-deep in a different kind of green. The finance teams from both LNER and Network Rail joined forces for a proper hands-on day of work. Instead of clicking a mouse, they were pulling up weeds and wielding paintbrushes. This kind of volunteer day is brilliant because it gets people out of their usual environment and lets them make a visible difference to a place in their community. The teams headed to Potteric Carr, a beautiful spot in Doncaster, to help the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Their main job was to give the education centre a bit of a makeover, which is a massive help for the charity. The day's tasks involved a lot of good old-fashioned hard graft. The teams got stuck into some serious weeding in the forecourt - you know, the kind of job that's surprisingly satisfying once it's done. They also tidied up all the surrounding green spaces, making sure everything looked neat and tidy for visitors. To top it all off, they gave the educational space a fresh coat of paint. It's amazing what a difference these jobs make, transforming a space and getting it ready for a new season of learning and discovery.

A closer look at Potteric Carr

So, what's so special about Potteric Carr? Well, it's not just any patch of land. This Yorkshire nature reserve, managed by the brilliant Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, is a haven for wildlife right on the edge of Doncaster. It's a sprawling wetland, buzzing with birds, insects, and all sorts of other creatures. It's the kind of place you can go to escape the noise of the town and just enjoy a bit of nature. The Trust does an incredible job protecting and nurturing the habitats here, ensuring that the local wildlife has a safe place to thrive. The work of protecting these spaces is non-stop.

The team at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are experts in nurturing the environment, but they can always use an extra pair of hands. That's why volunteer days like this one are so important. They help with the big jobs that might otherwise take ages to get done. For a charity, having a dedicated team of volunteers for a day can fast-track projects and free up their own staff to focus on more specialised conservation work. It's all about protecting our precious wildlife for future generations to enjoy.

The power of community funding

How did this partnership come about? It's all thanks to LNER's Customer and Community Investment Fund. This is a special fund set up by LNER to support local communities and charities along its route. Basically, it's a way for the company to give something back to the areas it serves. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is one of the supported CCIF charities, and this volunteer day is a perfect example of that partnership in action.

It's not just about giving money; it's about giving time and effort too. The Customer and Community Investment Fund helps all sorts of projects, from community gardens to youth groups. The focus is on making a real, positive impact. By supporting organisations like the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, LNER helps ensure that vital community assets, like the education centre at Potteric Carr, can continue to operate and inspire people. This kind of support shows a real commitment to the region, going beyond just running trains and connecting cities. It's about nurturing the communities that live and work alongside the railway.

Getting the education centre ready for autumn

The timing of this big clean-up, updated on the 14th of September, 2025, couldn't have been better. With autumn just around the corner, the education centre at Potteric Carr is about to get very busy. Schools and community groups will be visiting to learn all about the changing seasons and the amazing wildlife at the reserve. Getting the centre spruced up means it's a welcoming and inspiring place for kids and adults alike. A freshly painted room and tidy outdoor space make a huge difference to the visitor experience.

These preparations mean the education centre is all set for a busy season of events. It's easy to imagine it hosting everything from school trips to special workshops.

Perhaps they're even getting ready for something big like an Awdry Extravaganza, celebrating the world of trains and nature together! Whatever the plans, the hard work of the LNER and Network Rail volunteer teams has laid the groundwork for a successful season of learning and fun at the Yorkshire nature reserve.

A word from the team

It's clear the day was a huge success, not just for the charity but for the volunteers themselves. The collaboration between the London North Eastern Railway and Network Rail teams was a key part of it. Working together outside the office can be a fantastic team-building experience.

Figures like Victoria Thompson, who chronicle community efforts, often highlight how these partnerships benefit everyone involved. Andrew Timms, the Financial Controller for LNER, summed it up perfectly.

"It was fantastic to support one of our CCIF charities and give something back to the Trust, which does so much in protecting and nurturing wildlife across Yorkshire. It was great to work together with our colleagues at Network Rail to make a difference. For the charity, it has hopefully helped get the education centre back up and running again in time for Autumn."

His words show just how much the day meant. It was a chance to actively support the incredible work of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, making a tangible difference and strengthening the partnership between the organisations. It's a brilliant reminder that sometimes, the most valuable thing anyone can do is roll up their sleeves and volunteer.