EMR staff step out for charity with 22-Mile Walk honouring women in history
A group of staff from East Midlands Railway (EMR) are taking on a 22-mile charity walk this month, tracing a powerful route from Derby to Nottingham in honour of the women who shaped the region's past – and those forging its future.
Organised by EMR’s Women’s Employee Network, the walk will raise vital funds for Wellbeing of Women and celebrate women’s contributions to industries such as rail and textiles.
The route begins at the Florence Nightingale statue near Derby Station – a fitting tribute to one of the East Midlands’ most iconic women – and follows a path closely aligned with the railway line to Nottingham.
The walk, which takes place tomorrow, concludes at the newly unveiled Standing In This Place statue by sculptor Rachel Carter – a moving piece representing the countless women whose labour built Nottingham’s historic textile industry.
Rachel Carter, who collaborated with the National Justice Museum to bring the sculpture to life, said: “Standing In This Place is about presence, resilience, and recognition. It honours the thousands of women whose contributions went unrecorded but were absolutely vital. To see EMR staff walking in celebration of these stories is a powerful echo of the sculpture’s message.”
Laura Neale, Co-Director of Fundraising at Wellbeing of Women, said: “We would like to thank the team from EMR for their efforts to raise funds for vital research, education and advocacy in women’s health.
“We love that they’ve chosen a route that starts and ends at two landmarks celebrating women’s contributions – a very fitting challenge! A huge thank you from everyone at Wellbeing of Women for their incredible support – it means so much and will help make a real difference.”
The event is not just about raising money – it’s also about raising awareness. Charlotte Bishop, Internal Communications Business Partner at EMR and lead of the Women's Employee Network, said: “This walk is a celebration of the legacy of women in our communities and our industries – from the textile workers of Nottingham to the women shaping rail today.
"We're really proud to raise vital funds for Wellbeing of Women and support their mission to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of women and girls"