As a prelude to the local derby being held today, Good Friday, 18th April, between Rugby Super League sides Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers (Hull KR), local train operator Hull Trains treated local children to an inspiring Q&A session on one of its trains.

Hull Trains is a long-term partner of both teams and was keen to work with them to provide an unforgettable experience for young people and give them the chance to meet their Rugby Super League heroes.

The children, from Hull Children’s University, travelled by train from Hull to Selby. During their journey, as well as meeting the players, the children were presented with tickets for the iconic derby match at the MKM Stadium; tickets for the match have been like gold dust, as they sold in record time.

During their special day, the children, who come from a range of backgrounds, were able to question the players, including about their journeys in sport and their favourite place to visit in Hull.

At the recent Spotlight Rail Awards, Hull Trains won an award in the prestigious Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category for its initiatives to champion, empower, and uplift the local community.

Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University is a charity dedicated to making sure every child, regardless of their background, has access to the opportunities they deserve, and is able to open doors to new experiences that help the children to expand their horizons and dream.

Jessica Gibson, Director of Operations at Hull Children s University, said it was a wonderful opportunity for the children to meet their heroes and find out what makes them tick, and thanked the Hull Trains team and both rugby clubs for being so welcoming. She also thought the tickets to the upcoming derby would be a real treat for the deserving young people.

Paul Lakin, Chief Executive at Hull Kingston Rovers, commented that the team was delighted to work with Hull Trains to make the experience a special occasion for young Robins to spend quality time with their heroes.

“We’re deeply committed to supporting the communities we serve and this event was a great way for us to do that. We re long-term partners with Hull KR and Hull FC and are always keen to work with them on community initiatives. We’re passionate about inspiring the next generation and seeing the children’s enthusiasm and curiosity reinforces why we do things like this. We want to wish both clubs all the best for the rest of the season.”

Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains