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Friday 28 Feb 2025

Rail industry partners and charity Railway Children raise over £90,000 to help vulnerable children

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National

Last night, Network Rail teamed up with the charity Railway Children to host its sixth annual Big Station Sleepout at seven of its managed stations across the country. *

This year's event, sponsored by VolkerRail, brought over 350 rail industry participants together, who braved the cold weather with their sleeping bags to raise money and awareness to help the thousands of vulnerable young children who pass through the railway every year. 

Kathleen O’Malley MBE, social value manager at Network Rail, said: “I’d like to thank our station teams, rail industry partners and participants for making this event a huge success for the sixth year running. The Railway Children charity makes a big difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people and we’re delighted to continue supporting such an important cause.”

Railway Children works to identify and support vulnerable children who may be in danger, including those who have run away or are at risk of violence, abuse, or exploitation, with the aim of providing them with the safety and support they need. Over the last five years, the #BigStationSleepout has raised more than £750,000 to help fund this vital work.

Rob Capener, Railway Children’s chief executive officer, said: “Our Sleepout always has a brilliant atmosphere and we’re hoping this year’s event will have a big impact with the help of our supporters and the rail community.

“The challenges children and young people face are more prevalent than ever with increasing levels of poverty, exploitation, and mental health. The Sleepout event is a great way to raise vital funds for our programmes that help us reach children in need of urgent support while increasing awareness of our work with thousands of people who use the transport system every day.”

Andrew Wilkins, VolkerRail’s finance director, commented: “This was yet another successful event. Each year I join others taking part, and those new to the experience gain a much greater understanding of what the young people the charity support must feel like.

“I’d like to thank the hundreds of volunteers who took part across the UK to raise money for Railway Children. The charity does valuable work to help the lives of countless vulnerable young people, and VolkerRail is proud to have continued its support for this event.”