When the decision to move to the NEC was made back in 1992, we determined that for the hobby to survive it needed young blood coming through.  We were also aware that sadly there were those who would not reach our age of maturity and it was decided that we would raise money in support of the Acorns children's hospice.  Thanks to the support of our visitors, this was a great success and so we looked at whether we could spread the support to embrace children on a National basis, in keeping with our ethos and show name "The National Warley Model Railway Exhibition".

From then our Exhibition has featured a charitable element through the Warley MRC Charity Link aimed primarily at supplying nebulisers to deserving causes.  It can be hard for those not affected to understand, but asthma can be a terrifying complaint and often has meant that families could not easily undertake short holidays for fear of their children suffering an attack, with disastrous results.  With a portable nebuliser holidays could be considered again, so it was with a view to supplying these that we have dedicated the subsequent years to raising funds.

The majority of the funds raised have been used to provide nebulisers for clinics, doctors surgeries, hospices etc., to assist those youngsters and adults as well, who have breathing difficulties. We have developed a relationship with the supplier and in view of the numbers involved we are able to purchase them at a discounted rate.  In fact to date over 300 of these units have been provided throughout the U.K. and in the last 12 months a unit has been provided to every children’s hospice in the U.K.

Funds are raised in a variety of ways.  Initially this was by by the "value added" method of supply of a kit at an attractive rate by manufacturers through its "in house" construction to the point of sale at our exhibition.  Our association with Virgin Trains led to a substantial increase in income via their "on the hour" draw for specially commissioned wagons - indeed this was successfully carried forward to their all too short support of the Scottish Exhibition at the SCC.

We are always looking at means of raising the funds to buy more nebulisers and pass them on to deserving causes, so this year (2007) we have commissioned a limited number (350) of 7 plank wagons in the livery and in memory of that well known landmark just off the Aston Expressway, the  "H P Sauce" factory.  At one time your nostrils were assailed with a blend of Ansells beer and HP sauce, but sadly both are now no longer a part of the city.  If you are a collector of 4mm wagons then this one will be for you and by buying one you will be contributing towards the next nebuliser - just be thankful if it is not yourself that needs one of these machines

Talking about this project would be incomplete if praise was not given to our co-ordinator John Barron, who has led the way all these years.  This year he will again be manning the stand, make a note of it, A1, where he would be only too pleased to sell you something off the stand or better still accept a donation, no matter how large or small,  to help enhance the lifestyle of those that suffer from asthma and have to make use of a nebuliser.