Following the success of our 'Rail Partners with Ukraine' event in September that raised more than £106,000 towards food parcels for railway workers, Rail Partners launched the Kit for Kyiv campaign.

Born out of conversations with Ukrainian Railways colleagues, Kit for Kyiv was an initiative in partnership with the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force to support the purchase of body armour and helmets for Ukrainian train drivers travelling to the frontline.

The campaign was kindly supported by the UK's RAIL magazine, published by Bauer Media.

We are hugely grateful to our corporate donors Arriva, DB Cargo, First, Transport UK, GoAhead, MTR and GB Railfreight, as well as the many individuals in the railway community who contributed.

Known in Ukraine as the ‘Iron People’, Ukrainian railway workers are often working in dangerous areas, at risk of attack. They are the last to leave and often first to return to areas under attack, and need protective equipment to keep them safe at work.

During the 2024 campaign, all funds donated in GBP/£ to the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force went directly towards the purchase of #KitForKyiv, consisting of helmets and flack jackets for railway personnel.

Shelled UZ train on display in Kyiv. The train came under Russian fire in 2022.

Rail Partners is calling for donations to support the purchase of bullet proof vests and helmets

This campaign was kindly supported by the following corporate donors and Rail Partners members:

Ukrainian Railways staff in train cab, credit: Jelle Krings