Caledonian Sleeper is donating profits from a limited-edition single cask single malt whisky to Railway Children, which provides vital support to children and young people found at risk on the UK's railway network.
The whisky was launched by Caledonian Sleeper in April to celebrate 150 years of sleeper services between Scotland and London. Just 200 70cl bottles were produced, with each bottle individually numbered. They sold in less than a month and raised £5,000, which has now been handed over to the charity.
Caledonian Sleeper is also donating one of the bottles to the Scottish loneliness and animal charity Give a Dog a Bone, where it will be auctioned later this year as part of its fundraising efforts.
The donation will go towards funding a new project for the charity in Glasgow where the rail industry and British Transport Police work together to support the area's vulnerable young people who are either finding sanctuary on the railway network or risk being exploited when they use it.
Railway Children supports children and young people who are at risk and who could be using the UK railway network for various reasons, such as running away from home or care, meeting with someone who might be planning to harm them, or being exploited in County Lines drug running activity.
This will be Railway Children's first project in Scotland and follows successful projects in London, Yorkshire, the West Midlands and northwest England. Direct support will be given to vulnerable young people in Glasgow who have been identified following referrals from British Transport Police. A range of services will be provided based on individual needs, including welfare visits and parental and family support.
Rail staff in Glasgow will also be offered training by the charity and will be shown how they can help protect vulnerable young people. Regular meetings will also be held with the local Safeguarding Action Group to identify Glasgow's specific needs and context.
Kathryn Darbandi, Managing Director for Caledonian Sleeper, said: “It's so important that the vulnerable children and young people using our railway network get the care and support they need. As a proud member of the rail industry, this cause is close to our hearts, and we hope our donation today helps make a difference in Glasgow.
“Glasgow Central Station is one of the main transport hubs we service and so, it felt only right that our donation should go towards funding Railway Children's vital new project in the city.”
Jack Miller, Group Director of Fundraising & Marketing at Railway Children, commented: “We're thrilled that Caledonian Sleeper has chosen to raise money for our cause. Our new Glasgow project will allow us to cast our safety net into Scotland and support even more young people. This donation will help get the project up and running.”
Further information about Caledonian Sleeper's anniversary celebrations can be found online at www.sleeper.scot
Very nice from Caledonian Sleeper. Good idea.