Staff and volunteers will tackle England's only bridge bungee jump in Whitby this weekend to raise vital funds for urgent repairs to a 180-year-old railway bridge.
A dramatic 42-metre plunge from a historic Whitby viaduct will help secure the future of a vital railway route this weekend.
Brave thrill-seekers are preparing to tackle England's only bridge bungee jump on the 20th of September. The daring drop from Larpool Viaduct aims to raise thousands of pounds for urgent repairs to a 180-year-old structure known as Bridge 42 at Grosmont.
The Victorian bridge, which has stood proudly over the Murk Esk since the 1800s, carries around 10,000 locomotive movements every year. However, after nearly two centuries of service, the crossing requires major restoration to keep trains running safely on the heritage line.
Temporary propping is currently keeping the route open and operational for the 2026 season without disruption. Following detailed inspections, engineers determined this stabilisation was necessary to guarantee the safety and operational reliability of the bridge.
A complete repair programme is scheduled to begin over the winter of 2026 to 2027. The extensive works, which include both the temporary measures and permanent restoration, will cost approximately £800,000 in total. This comprehensive programme will restore the bridge to its long-term structural integrity and ensure its preservation for future generations.
Generous supporters have already donated almost £400,000 towards the project, but significant funding is still required to reach the final target. Organisers stress that every single donation helps protect a piece of railway history.
To help bridge the funding gap, a crew of staff and volunteers from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway will leap 42 metres over water. The event, organised by the UK Bungee Club, will offer jumpers stunning views of the picturesque North Yorkshire coastline and surrounding natural beauty before they take the plunge.
Peter Fisher, Digital Marketing Campaigns Lead at the heritage railway, explained his motivation for joining the jump.
He said:
"I’m taking part as I would love for the railway bungee crew to raise an extra £10,000 towards the important Bridge 42 appeal.
It’s been great to see the group of us come together for this, from various areas of the railway all with the common goal of raising money to protect the heritage railway we love so much. It's very exciting and such a different way of raising funds for the NYMR. Thank you to everyone for their donations so far, each one really does make a difference."
Every pound donated will go straight to the appeal, with payments processed through a fee-free fundraising platform called Zeffy. The platform charges charities no setup or processing fees, with costs instead covered by an optional payment processing tip at checkout.
Organisers say that whether people can spare the price of a coffee or a larger amount, every contribution is vital. Supporters are being encouraged to cheer on the jumpers and sponsor their favourite participants to help push them up the fundraising leaderboard.
More information about the appeal and donation details can be found at https://www.nymr.co.uk/bungee.
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