Local news for Oldland, Bitton, Willsbridge, Upton Cheyney, North Common, Warmley & Bridgeyate
04/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE - Appeal launched following financial loss to serial fraudster
The Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust, a volunteer-led charity running a heritage railway between Bristol and Bath, is today launching a Bounce Back Appeal to help strengthen the Railway’s finances. This comes after financial anomalies were identified after being carried out by a former staff member. Donations can be made and more information found on our website avrht.org/bounceback. Every penny donated is massively appreciated at this time.
After the resignation of Matthew Smith, a previously well-presented and respected employee of Avon Valley Railway Company Ltd, the railway has been horrified to find what initially appeared to be a few financial irregularities. This has unfortunately escalated, and we are now fully aware of the extremely serious activities involving this employee, which now look like deliberate acts of fraud against the railway.
Upon reporting the offences to the police, we have discovered that the individual’s true identity is Nathan Hudson, a wanted career criminal with a long history of scamming operations in Humberside and Edinburgh, among other locations since 2003. (https://www.humberside.police.uk/news/humberside/news/wanted/2025/january/nathan-hudson/ - Humberside Police Wanted listing containing photo of Nathan Hudson)
Hudson created fake profiles and appears to have fabricated supporting documentation to maintain the illusion of his false identity. He used his well-liked character to gain trust and build ‘friendships’ with staff and volunteers across the organisation. Some staff and volunteers have also been financially impacted. This is likely a strategy he had successfully employed in his numerous previous scams.
After an in-depth investigation, it is now apparent that the Railway has been impacted by approximately £50,000, as a consequence of the activities of this person. This has affected its ability to undertake much of its planned restoration and maintenance work over the winter. The railway can not be certain that during the time of his employment he did not have external assistance for his fraudulent activities.
The railway’s Chairman Roger Eynon said;
‘It’s been a difficult few months for all of us and we’re working hard to recover from Matthew Smith/Nathan Hudson’s actions. We’re launching our Bounce Back appeal to enable us to continue our vital restoration work this year and beyond so any money we receive is so massively appreciated at this time. People can find out more at www.avrht.org/bounceback’
The actions of this person have had a severe personal impact on the volunteers, staff and management of the railway, who trusted him and thought of him as a friend and valued colleague, making it a difficult and stressful time for all of us. We are working hard to recover from the situation and look forward to a more positive 2025 - but we need your help.
For enquires please contact the Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust at [email protected]
If you have any information about Nathan Hudson please contact the police using the non-emergency number 101 and quoting crime reference number: 24*149140.
