Bollywood Star Flies Flag Down Under
Railway Children is delighted that awareness of our work and the plight of street children is now being raised as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.
Bollywood actor, international model and television presenter Colin Mathura-Jeffree recently learned of our work from one of our passionate volunteers in the southern hemisphere and is currently supporting Railway Children by raising awareness and funds in New Zealand, Australia and India.
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, of Indian heritage, Colin is one of the most recognisable and popular celebrities in the Pacific region. He is most known to audiences for being the star of New Zealand's Next Top Model and the Bollywood film 'Love Has No Language'. Colin is committed to Railway Children as a 'goodwill ambassador' and is asking all of his fans and followers to support the charity by donating and taking time to understand the issues that the charity is fighting for.
Colin who has been working with valued Railway Children volunteer Joanne Whittles said "every child needs to be valued and become invaluable to society ". He also adds "I know that if my public persona can in any way make any person notice the needs of one child and in turn show another person to do the same thing, the world will change. I have absolute faith in humanity. In the smile of others and the strength of kindness in strangers. Sometimes it takes a person to say to another "its alright to help, and I need YOU to help" is what motivates change."
Joanne who was in Mumbai last year made a shocking discovery when she went to throw away piece of litter and found the body of a young girl, dumped and partly eaten by rats in a rubbish bin. Distressed by the discovery, Joanne became a volunteer for Railway Children and enlisted Colin to help in her quest to help children living on the streets in India. "I saw the death of a child first hand, she was alone, abandoned and now gone forever. Together we must strive to stop that ever happening again. We have to say that this is wrong and do something. The Railway Children gives everyone the opportunity to help, to make changes, to save lives. As individuals, we can change the world "
