The society runs a track next to Tonbridge Swimming Pool that can be enjoyed by the public free of charge at weekends during the summer.
The first facilities were built there in 1951, and a number of extensions have resulted in a track a third of a mile long that visitors can ride along. There are now over 100 members with around 40 locomotives.
The society is registered as a non-profit making company and it had no major projects to undertake during the winter, so it found itself with a small surplus.
At its AGM, the society decided to make a donation to Tree of Hope, and a cheque was presented to Cllr Bates by Mick Low, the society’s Honorary Chairman.
Tree of Hope is a crowdfunding children’s charity based in Tonbridge which helps children and young people with a disability or illness.
It supports their families to raise the funds they need to pay for specialist care that is not freely available through the UK healthcare system.
Mick said: “The society wanted to give something back to the people of Tonbridge who have donated so generously to the maintenance of the track and associated facilities for so many years, and the Mayor’s charity was the ideal way to do this.
“The Mayor was given an overview of what the society does, but, in view of the blustery conditions, declined the offer of a ride around the track. She did, however, mention she had brought her children to the track many times in the past.”
