Network Rail has announced that they teamed up with Railway Children, the charity, to host an annual sleepout event at stations across the UK.
VolkerRail sponsored this year's event. It was even bigger than last year, with nearly double the amount of volunteers taking part.
More than 300 volunteers from across the industry took part in the sleepout, from regional managing directors to frontline staff. They have raised around £150k for Railway Children.
Railway Children work alongside the British Transport Police and the rail industry.
They help protect and support children at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation, providing longer-term one-to-one support to address the issues they face.
Sleepouts took place overnight on Thursday 30th January at these stations:
- Manchester Piccadilly Station
- Birmingham New Street Station
- Derby Station
- Glasgow Central Station
- Leeds Station
- Liverpool Lime Street station
- London Bridge Station
- London Waterloo Station
- Milton Keynes Central Station
What did the officials say?
Network Rail chair Sir Peter Hendy CBE, a supporter of the Railway Children charity, said:
“We truly care about the communities we serve and the sleepout event is a great example of how the rail industry can come together to make a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“I'd like to give a big thank you to our station teams, volunteers and industry partners for making the event possible and raising a massive sum, which will go towards supporting the vital work Railway Children do”.
Railway Children CEO Terina Keene said:
“Our work at railways in the UK has shown us that all too often these vulnerable children see stations as a place to go or hide, and trains as a means to escape. This event has helped us raise awareness of the problems young people face as well as vital funds to support them and to keep them safe. We couldn't have done it without the support of everyone involved and we have to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave up their beds for the night to join us for the Sleepout.”
Steve Cocliff, managing director of VolkerRail, said:
“VolkerRail is proud to yet again take part in and sponsor the annual Railway Children sleep out. More than three hundred employees from across our industry have volunteered to spend a night out in a railway station to raise money and support the fantastic work the Railway Children charity does in helping those in need both here in the UK and abroad”.
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