Railway station staff are attempting to raise £2,500 to name a guide dog puppy after a former colleague who recently passed away.  

The Greater Anglia team at Ely want the dog to be called “Denny”, in memory of train driver Andrew Denny who worked on the railway for 43 years.  

Sadly, he passed away in June and although based in Ipswich travelled through Ely Station frequently over the years.  

With the blessing of Andrew’s family, Amanda, a customer service team member at Ely came up with the fundraising idea.  

The team is trained in disability quality and are there to support passengers on their journeys. Guide dogs are also trained at the station.  

Amanda said: “It is incredible to see guide dogs being trained around Ely station and getting used to the trains, and crowds of people.  

“Over the years I have grown really close to the dogs and their trainers.  

“To name a puppy Denny would be such a fantastic tribute to the memory of Andrew who so many of us knew and thought of so fondly.  

“Come down to Ely and help us raise funds for such a great cause.”   

The project has raised more than £1,150 and is accepting donations through the JustGiving link at https://shorturl.at/Vpi5W. 

As part of their efforts, the team have created competitions such as “Guess the Name” where customers pay £1 to guess the names of three current guide dogs.  

Winners will receive either family rail vouchers for a trip to London, vouchers for a meal in Ely, or a hamper full of doggy-related treats provided by local stores.   

A fundraising bake sale also took place at the station on Friday (September 20), alongside a children’s colouring competition. 

Martin Moran, Greater Anglia’s commercial and customer services director, said: “Andrew Denny often passed through Ely while driving trains, and to name a puppy in his memory is a very touching act - he will always be in our thoughts.”