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Thursday 6 Jul 2006

NO MESSIN’ LIVE! CAMPAIGN SET TO GET KIDS ON THE RIGHT TRACKS

Region & Route:

National

No Messin’ Live! – a nationwide series of 10 free two-day events packed full of activities for 10- to 16-year olds – kicked off today in Edinburgh. The events, taking place throughout the summer holidays across England, Wales and Scotland, are part of Network Rail’s national campaign to reduce death and injury on the railway by getting young people off the tracks and doing something better instead.  Last year, almost 50 people were killed and hundreds more were injured either crossing the tracks, taking short cuts, messing around or playing chicken. The 20,000 young people expected to attend the No Messin’ Live! events will have the chance to try out a range of activities in three zones – Sport, Gaming and Music – from football and skateboarding to urban dance and karaoke, and will be encouraged to join local clubs after the tour has moved on. The campaign is backed by boxing hero Amir Khan, DJ Dave VJ, and athlete Roger Black. Says Amir Khan: “There’s no excuse for mucking about on train tracks. You may think you’re clever and fast but a train is quicker and what’s clever about getting yourself killed?  No Messin’ Live! is a great way of finding a better way to spend your time, whether it’s trying out new sports, like boxing, or skills such as mixing and have a laugh with your mates too.” Network Rail’s Deputy Chief Executive, Iain Coucher, agrees:  “The young people who play on the railway do so because they think they’ve got nothing else to do.  Network Rail is committed to preventing pointless tragedies.  No Messin’ Live! aims to show young people, that there is a range of activities available to them, like sport, gaming and music, which – unlike playing on the railway – don’t involve the risk of injury, disfigurement and death.” The No Messin’ Live! campaign isn’t just for the holidays.  Network Rail is already working with local youth clubs and community groups in each area the tour is visiting and will leave something tangible behind that young people can continue to use after the tour has moved on.