VIP treatment for young enthusiast at Severn Valley Railway

Eight-year-old Corey Clark was the guest of some of the Severn Valley Railway's volunteers. They’d learnt about his fundraising work for the Food Share Wyre Forest Project, for which Corey undertook a 10-mile sponsored walk, raising £920.

“We were really impressed when we heard what Corey has done to help his community,” said volunteer Amy Baker. “And we knew that he’s completely fascinated with everything to do with railways. So, we thought this would be a really nice way of celebrating his achievement.”

Amy, and Tom Eades, another of the SVR’s young volunteers, took Corey and his family on a guided tour of Kidderminster station, where he got a peek inside the cab of a heritage diesel, stepped onto the footplate of a steam locomotive and even visited the signal box to see how this important aspect of the railway works.

“Corey’s going to be talking about today for years to come,” said his mum Sara. “He’s already said he’d like to work for a railway when he grows up, and I know he’d love to volunteer as a junior for the SVR when he’s old enough.

“The Severn Valley is 100% a great place for kids. It’s so family-orientated, and everyone’s polite and kind. Just look at the smile on his face – it says everything doesn’t it?”

Corey, who has ADHD and autism, received a Thomas and Friends International Friendship Day Award earlier this year, in recognition of his fundraising work.

The Severn Valley Railway is preparing to launch its Christmas seasons of special events, which includes Santa Trains from Kidderminster, and both Steam in Lights and Enchanted Express which depart from Bridgnorth.