Goodwill Express Boosts Sallies’ Christmas Appeal

The Salvation Army Foodbank Christmas Appeal will receive a major boost with good-hearted KiwiRail staff in in Wellington putting on a dedicated train to receive food donations.

The concept was suggested by three Tranz Metro train staff last year and has now grown into the ‘Goodwill Express’.

The Goodwill Express will stop at all stations on the electrified Tranz Metro network on Saturday 11 December.

Major Wendy Barney of The Salvation is delighted with KiwiRail’s generosity and initiative. With an increase in need of 23% for food parcels in the last quarter, the Goodwill Express will be a great help to those in need within the greater Wellington region.

The train will stop for a few minutes at every station on the Wellington electrified commuter network. The public can bring their non-perishable contributions and hand them over at their nearest station.

Donation boxes will be available at some staffed stations from Monday 6 December for those who find this more convenient than the 11 December date.

As a new twist to this year’s fundraising, KiwiRail staff have also organised a Christmas tree at Wellington station, placing a donation box beside the tree. It is believed to be the first time a Christmas tree has been displayed in the iconic station building.

Dozens of staff are volunteering without pay, and other organisations around town have been persuaded to get in on the act, donating design, printing and publicity. KiwiRail management is backing the staff initiative, providing a bright red train with signwriting that signals it as the ‘Goodwill Express’.

Train Manager Wayne Bedford, Customer Service Supervisor Michelle Thomas and Train Manager Gary Innes are the driving forces behind the Goodwill Express.

‘We’re delighted with how well the Goodwill Express appeal went last year, it really does go to a good cause and supports families in our region. [It’s a way] we can give back to help our community,’ comments Wayne Bedford, one of the frontline staff behind the idea. ‘We are hoping for another busy day gathering all the donations on Saturday.’

A Salvation Army band will be on board the Goodwill Express for some of the trip, playing Christmas carols to announce the train’s arrival at each station.

Details of timings for public to bring contribution to stations are:

Wellington: 8:45am – 9:02am, 12:57pm – 1:05pm, 2:45pm – 3:07pm, 6:45pm – 7:05pm

Hutt Valley Line
Petone* 3:18pm and 6:49pm
Ava 3:28pm and 6:43pm
Woburn 3:33pm and 6:39pm
Waterloo* 3:38pm and 6:32pm
Epuni 3:45pm and 6:28pm
Naenae 3:49pm and 6:24pm
Wingate 3:53pm and 6:20pm
Taita 3:58pm and 5:58pm
Pomare 4:08pm
Manor Park 4:12pm
Silverstream 4:16pm and 5:48pm
Heretaunga 4:20pm and 5:44pm
Trentham 4:23pm and 5:40pm
Wallaceville 4:42pm and 5:35pm
Upper Hutt* 4:46pm until 5:32pm

Paraparaumu Line
Takapu Road 9:11am and 12:43pm
Redwood 9:16am and 12:38pm
Tawa 9:21am and 12:31pm
Linden 9:30am and 12:25pm
Kenepuru 9:36am and 12:20pm
Porirua* 9:41am and 12:04pm
Paremata 9:54am and 11:59am
Mana 10:01am and 11:52am
Plimmerton 10:09am and 11:45am
Pukerua Bay 10:20am and 11:34am
Muri 10:26am and 11:29am
Paekakariki 10:38am and 11:15am
Paraparaumu* 10:50am until 11:07am

Johnsonville Line
Crofton Downs 1:12pm and 2:35pm
Ngaio 1:17pm and 2:29pm
Awarua Street 1:24pm and 2:25pm
Simla 1:28pm and 2:22pm
Box Hill 1:32pm and 2:17pm
Khandallah 1:35pm and 2:12pm
Raroa 1:41pm and 2:08pm
Johnsonville* 1:46pm until 2:05pm

Donation boxes are available at: Wellington, Petone, Waterloo, Upper Hutt, Porirua, Paraparaumu and Johnsonville.