Engineering Works

Engineering works will be taking place on Friday 12th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th and Monday 15th September. For more details, visit our engineering works page. For live updates, please see our Twitter/X.
Lumo train over the river Tyne
Lumo train over the river Tyne

Lumo helps Discovery Museum raise £10,000 for 'Tiny Tyneside'

Lumo helps the Discovery Museum open a new play space for under 5s

Published 27 Mar 2025

Newcastle’s Discovery Museum has successfully raised the final £10,000 needed to complete ‘Tiny Tyneside’ – a new play space for under 5s.

The Museum’s fundraising campaign was boosted by Newcastle-based electric train service Lumo who pledged to match £5,000 of public donations, doubling their impact. 

The grand total raised – including Lumo’s contribution – was £10,256 from 123 donors, which is rounded up to £11,216 when Gift Aid is included.

Development of the new Tiny Tyneside space at Discovery Museum is already underway following grants from the Sir James Knott Trust, the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust and the Wolfson Foundation. 

Now, thanks to Lumo and the generosity of the public, the work can be completed.

Tiny Tyneside will open to visitors in April 2025. It will be a free, fun, safe place for young children to play and learn and follow the themes of the museum including transport, engineering, inventions, and bridges adapted for young visitors to enjoy.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo, said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to see the fundraising target for Tiny Tyneside achieved. This project is a brilliant example of how communities, organisations and supporters can come together to create something meaningful for future generations. Giving children the opportunity to play, explore and be inspired by the world around them has strong alignment with our commitment to connecting people and places. 

“We’re proud to have helped double the impact of every donation and to be part of bringing this imaginative, inclusive space to life for young families across the region and beyond.”

Thomas Elwick, Learning Officer at Discovery Museum, said: 

“Research shows that access to play and exploration has a positive impact on the development of young children’s memories, problem-solving, communication and motor skills. 

“We’ve developed Tiny Tyneside with this research in mind to create a fun space but also one where our youngest visitors can start to explore the themes of the museum.

“We’re very grateful to our funders and also to Lumo for generously match funding our appeal. We’re proud that Lumo is North East Museums’ Early Years partner.”

lumo news

Authors Natalie Jayne Clark, Gordon Brown and Douglas Skelton signing books onboard a Lumo train

A novel idea: 'Bloody Scotland' authors create live crime story at 125mph

We welcomed three authors onboard to write a brand-new thriller

see more
Man selling poppies onboard

Railway poppy seller announces biggest fundraising challenge yet

Poppy seller launches challenge to mark ten years of the 'Poppy Express'

see more
People running in the Great North Run

Lumo invites good luck messages for Great North Run

Lumo is calling for people to send messages of support for runners

see more