Railway Benevolent Institution
Railway Benefit Fund supports the heartbeat of the UK’s railways.
For over 165 years, we have offered a helping hand to the people behind the UK’s railways and their families when life throws up the most difficult challenges – such as illness, injury or financial hardship.
Every four minutes, someone reaches out for our help or advice. In return, we’re there for them.
As a non-membership charity, we rely solely on the generosity of our supporters to continue our work which focuses exclusively on the UK railway family. Whether our train drivers, station and maintenance crew, ancillary staff, or other key workers, we want to ensure they can always be at their best.
Your contributions make a real difference to people across the UK railway family, so join us on our journey.
Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is for a brighter future for railway people across the UK.
Our mission is to provide advice and support to railway people and their families, improving the lives of current, former and retired workers wherever they are in rail.
Our History
The RBF was founded as the Railway Benevolent Institution in 1858 under our first president, George Glyn, 1st Baron Wolverton, during a meeting held by a group of railway clerks in London. The original purpose of the Institution was to provide a fund for the wives and children of railway workers who were widowed and orphaned due to the dangerous nature of railway work at the time.
Although railway employees paid a subscription to belong to the Institution, it relied very heavily upon public support. One notable supporter of the fund was Charles Dickens, who gave a speech at the Ninth Anniversary Festival of the Railway Benevolent Institution in 1867.
Registered Number 206312