Another week and another award for the Seaton Tramway! This time their Tramathon Live Appeal held in June 2020 has been rewarded at the Heritage Railway Association Awards held virtually on Wednesday 28th April.
Seaton have won a brand new award for 2020 for Most Innovative Fundraising Idea and was awarded to the HRA operating member that has produced the most innovative fundraising project during the COVID crisis. The tramway beat off competition from the Talyllyn Railway, Mid-Hants Railway & Bahamas Locomotive Society and Bluebell Railway.
Speaking about the award, Chief Executive of the Seaton Tramway, Jenny Nunn, said: “Tramathon has proved a novel & ingenious way to reach new audiences whilst stuck at home during lockdown and we very much look forward to the next one starting 5th June. My grateful thanks to HRA for the award, to the great public support and to all of those who gave their time freely to make Tramathon such a success.”
Tramathon Live culminated in 24 hours of constant running on Friday 11th June 2020 with trams running from midday on the Friday with a team of volunteers sharing shifts throughout 24 hours – whatever the weather! It was all streamed on their Facebook page and followed a week of live videos which took viewers behind the scenes of the tramway, introducing new projects that will be accessible on reopening, a live Driver’s Eye experience and Q&As.
It was all to help raise money for the tramway which has been closed as a result of the pandemic leading to no fare revenue. In total over £30,000 was raised during the 2020 event. And it was so successful they will do it all again for 24 hours on 5th and 6th June. Being streamed online again there will also be the chance to travel on this unique event while helping to raise funds for the tramway.
The Seaton Tramway is no stranger to awards in recent times having received the Travellers Choice award on TripAdvisor as well as being a double winner in our very own Tram of the Year contest for 2020 in the “Tramway of the Year” and “Event of the Year” categories.
The tramway is now open daily until 31st October with trams running between 1000 and 1700 every day – and don’t forget if you can’t get there to keep an eye out on the webcam which can be viewed at http://www.tram.co.uk/webcam.