Hull station team raises more than £3,500 for charity by selling lost property

A group of TransPennine Express (TPE) customer service staff at Hull Station have raised hundreds of pounds for charity after auctioning off luggage, headphones and even a bar of gold bullion left behind by passengers.

The team came together to auction unclaimed lost property, raising an impressive £3,600.

TPE’s station staff at Hull oversee the lost property on behalf of Northern and Hull Trains, as well as items left on the train operator’s own services.

Each year, they handle thousands of items, and in the past year alone the station has logged over 4,000 articles, with the most common items being mobile phones, rucksacks, and luggage.

Other items found include guitars, cosmetic gift sets, a paddleboard, and even a bar of gold bullion.

While the station team always strives to reunite customers with their belongings via the MissingX website, many items remain unclaimed after three months.

Not wanting to see anything go to waste - the team decided to auction off the unclaimed property, where staff from TPE, Northern and Hull could bid on the items with the proceeds benefiting charitable causes.

The proceeds were divided between three charities: £1,000 went to Andy’s Man Club, a mental health charity chosen by the station team; another £1,000 was donated to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Hull Trains’ charity of the year; and the final £1,600 was given to Hull Foodbank, a local charity selected by station manager Benjamin Courtney.

The fundraising wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of the station team, which includes Mark Wood, Graham Keddie, Peter Spiby, Mark Greensmith, Simon Wegg, Matthew Cooper, and Emma Cooper, who worked together to manage the lost property and organise the auction.

Their efforts not only helped raise vital funds for charity but also showcased their commitment to the local community.

Mark Wood, Customer Service Supervisor for TransPennine Express, said: "We’re incredibly proud of what the team has achieved to support these charities.

“We thought these unclaimed items could be put to good use and it’s amazing to see how we’ve turned this situation into something positive for the community.

“The generosity of our colleagues and the success of the auction is a testament to the compassion and teamwork here at Hull station."

Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “We’re thrilled the Hull Trains Official Charity of the Year, The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust will receive £1,000 by working with colleagues at TransPennine Express.

"Across our proud 24-years of service, we’ve become key supporters and champions of local communities and good causes to help make a real difference to the places we serve.

“This past year, we’ve had all sorts of items left on our services and while we always endeavour to reunite items with their owners, it’s fantastic that unclaimed items can benefit great causes and serve as a reminder to check you have all your belongings with you before leaving the train.”

Amanda Spivack, Director of Fundraising and Engagement at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are delighted with this generation donation from the Hull station team at TransPennine Express. Support like this helps to keep us on track as we restore and protect Yorkshire’s glorious wildlife and wild places, our nature reserves and community conservation projects.”

A representative from Hull Foodbank said: "We'd like to thank TPE staff at Hull station whose efforts have provided food for families who are struggling to feed themselves at this time of the year, a big thank you to you all."

Sean Gill, Regional Area Lead for the East of England for Andy's Man Club, said: "We are incredibly grateful to the TPE team at Hull station for their hard work and generosity in raising this fantastic donation for Andy’s Man Club.

"Their efforts not only support our mission to provide vital spaces for men to talk but also highlight the power of communities coming together for a greater cause. 

"The dedication shown by the station team in organising the auction and ensuring these unclaimed items benefit charities like ours is truly inspiring. This donation will go a long way in helping us to continue our work and make a real difference in the lives of so many."

Andy’s Man Club, the charity chosen by staff at Hull station, provides a safe space for men to talk openly about their mental health.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Hull Trains’ charity of the year, works to protect and restore wildlife across Yorkshire, while Hull Foodbank provides food and support to people in need within the local community.