Pair of Peterborough children set for steam train treat after raising thousands to fix arson hit signal box

Two Peterborough children have raised almost £10,000 to repair a signal box badly damaged by a suspected arson.

The box at Orton Mere will cost Nene Valley Railway many thousands of pounds to fix after the fire in the early hours of Monday morning.

Train mad 12-year-olds, Oliver Walker and Harry Cowley, both students at Nene Park Academy, were left devastated by the blaze.

They are now determined to do their bit to bring the box back to its former glory.

The pair, who each started web fundraising pages, have also decided to go on a 10 mile walk along the length of the track to raise cash.

Since the fundraisers went live on 13 March, the duo have raised more than £9,000 (£9,783, at the time of writing) – with the figure still rising.

‘Absolutely brilliant’

Michael Purcell, chairman of trustees at Nene Valley Railway, thanked the boys and said: “I was contacted on Monday, and told someone had set fire to the signal box.

"Then I was told two boys had set out to raise money for us. It was wonderful – it really showed the two side of human spirit, after the attack.

"We can’t thank them enough, they have been absolutely brilliant.

"We have some treats lined up to thank them. We have the Sir Nigel Gresley (steam locomotive) coming to Nene Valley Railway soon, and we will be arranging for something with them.”

Michael said investigations were still ongoing as to how much damage had been caused, but it was likely to come to many thousands of pounds.

Harry said they had been proud to raise the money they had done, saying: “It does feel like we have accomplished something.”

Oliver said the pair wanted to thank everyone who had helped them raise the money.

The fire was linked to a number of arson attacks that happened in the Ortons on Sunday night and Monday morning.

Police are still appealing for witnesses, and anyone with information should call 101.

To donate to Harry’s just giving page visit www.gofundme.com/f/nene-valley-railway-signal-box and to raise money for Oliver’s page, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sarah-walker-788