The Friends of the 502 Group and the Merseyside Transport Trust have provisionally agreed that the 502 can move to the MTT’s new base in Burscough, Lancashire. Further discussions between the two groups are still taking place, but it is hoped that the unit will move in February 2012.
This move will provide the Group with a long-term, secure, undercover work area where restoration work can progress faster than at present. However, this type of accommodation comes at a cost – approximately £250 per month, although this does include utilities etc.
Therefore, in addition to raising £4,000 to cover the costs of moving the two carriages of the 502, we also need to increase the amount coming in by standing order, to ensure we have a regular income stream to cover our rent payment and other running costs. Therefore, we are asking current and prospective members to consider setting up a standing order.
A monthly standing order of £10.04 per month (502p per vehicle!) will help considerably with our monthly payments. If you want to ensure that these historic EMU vehicles have a secure future, please visit our membership page to read up about setting up a standing order, and to download the necessary forms.
If you already have a standing order with us, is it possible to increase it? An extra pound or two per month may not seem like much, but in combination with other members over the course of a year, that small additional amount could make all the difference. You will need to contact your bank directly to amend the standing order, but please also let our treasurer Robert Hampton, know.