This year’s event, sponsored by VolkerRail and supported by Network Rail, took place at stations including Birmingham New Street, Glasgow Central, Manchester Piccadilly, Derby, Swansea, Norwich and stations across London, where participants slept out on the station floors for the whole night.
More than 350 participants from across the industry, from regional managing directors to frontline staff took part in the event, raising over £90,000 on the night – totalling over £850,000 in the 6 years since the event began.
Also supporting the event were the Sleepout Ambassadors; a network of key influencers within the rail industry who offer valuable support to the success of the event.
2025 Sleepout Ambassadors included Lead Ambassador Anna Delvecchio (Ernst & Young), along with Nick Joyce (Department for Transport), Mark Wild (HS2), Richard Sanderson (Jacobs), Andy Lord (Transport for London) Molly Neal and Toufic Machnouk (Network Rail).
Railway Children were also delighted to welcome Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, at various London Stations, and Lord Peter Hendy at Leeds Station. Both met employees and supporters of Railway Children, including the Youth Ambassador Network — young people who have been supported by Railway Children in the past and now advocate for the safety and well-being of young people across the UK rail network.
At the event, Heidi Alexander MP said “I was delighted to see so many people come together to raise money for such a good cause. I’d like to thank the station teams, rail industry representatives and the participants for making this event a huge success.
“Railway Children work closely with the British Transport Police to make a huge difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people and events like the sleepout will help them continue to do so for many more years to come.”
Minister of State for Transport, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, said: “It’s great to see so many people come together to raise money for such a good cause, and I’d like to thank our station teams, rail industry partners and the participants for making this event a huge success. Railway Children make a big difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people and I’m delighted to have supported them and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.”
Railway Children work to help identify and support vulnerable children that may be in danger, including those that have run away, may be at risk of violence, abuse or exploitation with the aim to provide them with the safety and support that they need.
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.”
Andrew Wilkins, VolkerRail’s Finance Director, commented: “VolkerRail has, for many years, been supporting Railway Children and the valuable work they do to make the lives of countless vulnerable young people much better. We are delighted to be able to continue our support by sponsoring and participating in the 2025 Sleepout.”
On 27th February 2025 the Railway Children Big Station Sleepout returned for the sixth annual event in 11 railway stations across the country, raising money and awareness for the work being done to help the thousands of vulnerable children who pass through the railway networks every year.
Mary Mushi, Safeguarding and Technical Lead in Tanzania, recently visited colleagues in Railway Children India to share learnings on family work across the two countries.
It is with profound shock and sadness that we announce that Mussa Mgata, our Executive Director for Railway Children Africa, passed away suddenly on Tuesday 25th February.
Railway 200 celebrates the birthday of our precious railways – with a range of events and activities taking place around the country. Fundraise with Railway Children to help us make our railways safer for children.
Meet Catherine and Rose, who care for vulnerable children in Tanzania through the Fit Person program.
Discover how Railway Children is making Patna a turning point for children at risk of exploitation.
