In Britain, Railway Children supports four projects for runaways. It funds the manager of a refuge in Glasgow, which is due to open at the end of 2003, and a Roma-speaking social worker helping Eastern European girls who beg on the London Underground. It has also donated money to a charity that helps young runaways in Cheltenham and has jointly financed a free telephone helpline, Get Connected, which gives advice to kids who have left home, or are thinking of leaving.
As part of South West Trains' commitment to Railway Children, the company has recently named one of its trains after it. On 30 July 2003, transport minister Dr Kim Howells MP unveiled the nameplate, The Railway Children, on a Wessex Electric 442, which operates from Waterloo to Bournemouth and Weymouth. David Maidment, now Railway Children's chairman, also attended the ceremony at Waterloo, where he was presented with a cheque for the charity for over £5,000. The money had been raised through several fund-raising activities organised by South West Trains for Railway Children's MAD (Make A Difference) Day on 16 May 2003, when staff and passengers joined in the fun and generously donated money. Of the train's ceremonial christening, Dr Howells said: "This train will serve as a constant reminder of Railway Children's invaluable work."
Below, unveiling the train's name plate (left to right) John Lapins, Molly Morgan, Paul Mallon, charity founder David Maidment and transport minister Dr Kim Howells.
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