Railway Children has called on supporters to help reach a £1 million milestone this month as it holds an annual rough sleeping event on Thursday, 26th March.
Since launching in 2018, Railway Children’s Night at the Station event has raised more than £880,000 to reach and protect some of the world’s most vulnerable children.
This year, the charity, which started in Sandbach but is now based in Crewe, is aiming to surpass the £1 million mark – and has called on the rail community and individual supporters to help reach the target.
Sponsored by VolkerRail, the event – now in its eighth year – is taking place at nine stations across the UK.
Participants are invited to spend one cold, dark night on a hard station floor to raise vital funds for children with nowhere safe to go, night after night.
Over the past eight years, around 2,000 people from across the railway industry and the country as a whole have come together with a shared commitment to make a difference for children.
The charity helps cases like Lara.
Lara, (14), was found alone and in crisis on railway tracks in the UK. Following support from Railway Children, she is now building a future and hopes to join the police, where she can use her experiences to help other young people.
Lara is just one of thousands of young people across the UK – as well as India and Tanzania – that Railway Children has supported, thanks to funds raised through events like this.
Rob Capener, the CEO of Railway Children, said: “By signing up to Night at the Station, not only are people ensuring we continue to reach and protect children when they need us most, but they have a brilliant night of fun and camaraderie.”
Andrew Wilkins, VolkerRail’s finance director, commented: “VolkerRail has for many years supported Railway Children’s valuable work to make the lives of countless vulnerable young people so much better. We are delighted to continue our support by sponsoring and participating in the 2026 event.”
Sign up at register.enthuse.com/ps/event/NATS26
