Media centre

Wednesday 13 Oct 2004

SOUTHEND UNITED FC WELCOMES PRIZE-WINNING SCHOOL CHILDREN

Region & Route:

| Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

| Southern

The artistic talents of ten school children from the Southend area have been commended by Network Rail and Southend United football club.  The children took part in the Southend United ‘Football in the Community’ scheme, where school visits from footballers were combined with track safety talks.  The youngsters then entered a competition to reinforce the railway safety messages from the day, designing posters to illustrate the dangers of the railway. The winners of the competition each received a pair of tickets to watch the football match between Southend United and Swansea City at Roots Hall football ground on Saturday 16 October 2004.  During the half time interval, Network Rail Route Director, Jon Wiseman presented them with glossy versions of their winning posters. Mr Wiseman said:  “The posters were of a very high standard and it is encouraging to see that children do understand just how dangerous the railways are.  School competitions, along with Southend United’s ‘Football in the Community’ scheme, help us to educate children about the railways.  That is the key to combating railway crime and ensuring the safety of all.” The winners are: Chantelle Arnold – Sacred Heart School Emma Collier – Horndon on the Hill Primary School Katie Hopkinson – Sacred Heart School Rianna Graham – Horndon on the Hill Primary School Leanne Smith – Friars School Nadia Tucker – Benyton Primary School Buster Mooney – Essex School EFJS Paris Mager – East Tilbury Junior School Nathan Bettell – Hot Farm Junior School Bethanie Whyte – Lansdowne Junior School