26.02.15
UKRIA raises almost £5,000 for Railway Children
At this year’s UK Rail Industry Awards (UKRIA) attendees raised just shy of £5,000 to support the Railway Children, an international children’s charity that works to reach vulnerable children on the streets of the UK, East Africa and India.
During the evening delegates heard from Andy Ridout (pictured), managing director of rail recruitment specialist advance-TRS, who is taking part in multiple fundraising events this year, starting in March with a 113km trek to the base camp at Mount Everest in aid of Railway Children.
The ‘Train to Everest’ trek will see Andy and company trekking 6-8 hours a day for 12 days to reach the camping plain that sits at 17,600ft – nearly two thirds of the way up the world’s highest summit. By taking on these herculean challenges, Andy is hoping to raise more than £6,500 for the charity.
At UKRIA, small envelopes were placed on the tables for people to make a donation. What followed was truly amazing. Guests at the event raised a staggering £4,780 – putting Andy well on his way to hitting his target.
Speaking to RTM after the event, Andy said: “I am completely overwhelmed with the response from each and every guest who donated to Railway Children at UKRIA 2015.
“It is a testament to the generosity and integrity of the industry, that everyone was able come together and raise such a substantial amount of money for what is an outstanding cause. I am incredibly grateful to Rail Technology Magazine for helping provide a platform for us all to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children worldwide.”
Katie Mason, events manager at the Railway Children, who arranged for a video from the charity to be broadcast at UKRIA, added that the organisation was very grateful to the rail industry for all the support it provides.
“To have raised nearly £5,000 from one evening is a fantastic result. The money raised will make such a difference to the work we do to ultimately save children’s lives in the UK, India and Africa,” she said.
“This money could save over 200 children from the streets in India, care for their basic needs and find a safe place to stay. If we act when they first arrive onto the streets we can really make a difference, as we know that early intervention gives us the best possible chance of protecting a child from abuse and restoring relationships.”
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