On Thursday 31 March, volunteers will swap their warm beds at home for the cold floor of a railway station, to 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, raising over £160,000, and last year’s alternative version, The Sleep In, was another huge success.

Although this event won’t replicate the situations faced by children, Sleepout 2022 will raise awareness of the issues and difficulties they face. This year, eight stations have signed up to take part, including:

• Glasgow Central
• Leeds
• Manchester Piccadilly
• Derby
• Birmingham New Street
• London Liverpool Street
• London Waterloo
• London Victoria

Railway Children’s CEO, Terina Keene, said: “Railway Children is delighted to have the support of headline sponsors, VolkerRail, once again. Their generosity will mean even more of the money raised by participants can go directly to the charity’s work with children.

“We know from our work with the British Transport Police, that around 10,000 vulnerable young people use the railway every year, with no mechanism in place to support them. This event is a great way to raise money for our projects that reach these children, and 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. Not only will they encourage others to take part, but they will also be sleeping out themselves.

Alan Robertson, CEO of VolkerWessels UK, is one of the eleven ambassadors, and 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 do 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.”

To learn more about the event, and to sign up, please visit: railwaychildren.org.uk/events/events/railway-children-sleepout/ or email k.mason@railwaychildren.org.uk.