Avanti West Coast colleagues swap beds for station concourse for charity
Participating in the yearly Big Sleepout challenge, the group raised over £2,500 for Railway Children.
- Eight Avanti West Coast colleagues slept overnight at Birmingham New Street for charity
- The group took part in the Railway Children’s yearly Big Sleepout challenge
- They raised over £2,500 through sponsorship to help combat child homelessness
A team of Avanti West Coast colleagues swapped their mattresses for the floor at Birmingham New Street station concourse to raise money for the Railway Children charity.
Supporting the charity’s yearly fundraiser – The Big Sleepout, the group of eight hardy volunteers joined industry colleagues in spending a night at the railway station as part of the cause’s aim to raise awareness of child homelessness.
The team, which included frontline and office-based colleagues, raised over £2,500 through sponsorship.
Taking on the challenge were Jo Bird, Communications Director; Joanna Buckley, Community Manager; Cleo Lindo, Internal Communications Executive; Amy Dawson, Reporting Analyst; Natalie Richbell-Beer, Safeguarding Manager; Nicola Hague, Customer Experience Strategy Manager; Marcia Graver, an on-board chef; and Louise McGregor, Management System Administrator.
This year’s Big Sleepout is being held at nine stations across the country, with Avanti West Coast joining the event at Birmingham New Street. Money raised from the event goes towards the charity’s work to combat child homelessness in the UK, India and Tanzania.
Speaking after the sleepout, Jo Bird, said: “There is something incredibly powerful about colleagues from the railway industry coming together up and down the country, to take on the challenge of sleeping overnight in a station to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.
“This is only my 2nd Big Sleepout, and I fully recommend others from across our industry to get involved next year. The Railway Children is a charity close to my heart for the fantastic work they do to help vulnerable young children on the streets here in the UK and also in India and Tanzania.”
Rob Capener, Railway Children’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our Sleepout always has a brilliant atmosphere. Working closely with the British Transport Police, we know that hundreds of vulnerable young people are identified on the UK rail network every day. The Sleepout event is a great way to raise vital funds for our programmes that help us reach children in need of urgent support while increasing awareness of our work with thousands of people who use the transport system.”
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Notes to editors
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.
We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.
Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024 and will replace our Voyagers. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333
About Railway Children
Railway Children has a vision of a world in which no child is lost to the streets.
Across the UK, India and Tanzania, our experience and relationships across transport networks provide a unique opportunity for us to reach children who are alone and vulnerable before they come to serious harm.
Whether it’s supporting young people off the streets and into nurturing, family-based care, providing education through our Children’s Centres or helping a child find solutions to the problems they face, we’re there for every child for as long as it takes.
Working alongside the British Transport Police (BTP) and the rail industry through our Safeguarding on Transport Programme, we support children and young people found in and around the rail network. We provide specialist training in how to recognise vulnerability and how to respond effectively. In the last year we have trained 4,295 staff across the Rail network and British transport police and supported 186 young people and their families.
Once a young person has been identified as being vulnerable and is referred to us, we assess their situation, establish their needs and put a bespoke plan in place. We work to strengthen the support system around them, as well as helping them access the right professional help. Our support is never time-bound, and they engage with us for as long as they need.
We provide meaningful interventions with children, young people, their families and other carers to help them tackle issues, reduce conflict and re-establish relationships. Our support includes health, safety and wellbeing provision. And we act as advocates for the whole family to access help for more specific needs and stay consistent with our aftercare to keep the young person safe.
Together, we’re determined we’ll leave no child behind.