The fundraising event you can do in your sleep is back for 2022! Swap your warm bed at home for the cold floor of a railway station on 31 March and help Railway Children raise awareness as well as vital funds to support the hundreds of children who face hardship every day around the world.
The Sleepout made a huge impact in 2020 with over 300 people sleeping at nine stations and raising over £160,000, and last year’s alternative version, The Sleep In, was another huge success. It’s back again in 2022 and eight stations (Glasgow Central, Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly, Derby, Birmingham New Street, London Liverpool Street, London Waterloo, and London Victoria) have signed up to take part.
Railway Children’s CEO Terina Keene said: “We know from our work with British Transport Police that around 10,000 vulnerable young people are identified on the rail network every year. They might be running away from home, involved in county lines drugs gangs, being groomed to go and meet a stranger or even coming to the station with thoughts of suicide. With the help of our supporters and the whole rail community we can make sure we’re there to help them when they need it most.
“This event is a great way to raise money for our projects that reach these children, but also to share our work and our message with the many thousands of people who pass through our transport system every day. Together we can make a vital difference to the lives of so many children.”
Eleven senior leaders from across the rail industry have committed to supporting the Sleepout by becoming ambassadors of the charity’s fundraising initiative:
Simon Blanchflower, CEO East West Rail; Andy Lord, MD London Underground; Elaine Clark, CEO Rail Forum Midlands; Anna Delvecchio, Development Director Transportation Mott MacDonald; Alex Hynes, MD Scotland’s Railway; Gareth Powell, MD Surface Transport TL; Alan Robertson, CEO VolkerWessels UK; Mark Thurston, CEO HS2; Mark Wild, CEO Crossrail; Will Wilson, CEO Siemens Mobility Ltd; and Dyan Crowther, CEO HS1.
Not only will they encourage others to take part, but they will also be sleeping out themselves.
Anna Delvecchio from Mott MacDonald said: “I’m delighted to support Railway Children. The COVID pandemic has made the charity’s work with young people more vital than ever. It will be a cold and uncomfortable night, but the children supported by Railway Children face this hardship every day. Railway Children will be continuously monitoring COVID guidance to ensure the event can take place safely. The ambassadors are keen to make the Sleepout a success across the sector with your support. Help us make this a reality and help even more vulnerable children.”
Railway Children is delighted to have the support of headline sponsors VolkerRail once again for the Sleepout and their generosity will mean even more of the money raised by participants can go directly to the charity’s work with children.
Alan Robertson, VolkerWessels UK CEO, said:“It is hugely important that we join forces within our industry to help shine a spotlight on this important subject. The younger generation is our future, and we must ensure that we are doing all we can for every child who needs extra support. The work undertaken by Railway Children to reach those in need as quickly as possible is invaluable, and something VolkerWessels UK, VolkerRail and I are proud to support.”
This event won’t replicate the situations faced by the children Railway Children works with, but it will raise awareness of the issues and difficulties they face.
To find out more or to sign up for the Sleepout on 31 March 2022, contact events manager Katie Mason at Railway Children on 01270 757 596 or email [email protected].
Image credit: Railway Children
