Sophie's story
As Christmas neared, life became tougher for 15-year-old Sophie*. Looking for comfort, she turned online and met someone who seemed to care — but when she reached the station, things weren’t as they seemed.
This Christmas, vulnerable children can't wait
For millions of vulnerable children in the UK, Christmas isn't a celebration - it's a countdown to crisis
Sophie can’t wait for Christmas… to be over
Christmas is just around the corner… but for millions of children like Sophie*, this time of year isn’t something to look forward to.
It’s a time to dread.
As Christmas drew closer, everything seemed to pile up for Sophie…
The risks don’t stop during the festive season
While many of us are hanging up mistletoe and counting down the days until the festivities, millions of children across the UK are inching closer and closer to crisis.
One in four are getting bullied and struggle to cope with daily life at school. Many go home only to face more abuse and neglect.
Meanwhile, financial pressure seeps in as families, already stretched out, feel the strain of the seasons’ costs. A quarter of the UK’s children live in absolute poverty.
Children dealing with these issues are more likely to go missing.
205 children go missing each day in the UK. They might be going to meet someone they’ve met online, or running away from conflict at home – but once alone in the streets and at transport hubs, they’re at serious risk of exploitation.
For these children, support can’t wait.
Will you help us reach them before it’s too late?
Test yourself: spot the dangers
Every day, thousands of young people travel through the UK’s stations — and we need your help to keep them safe. Can you identify all five risks hidden in our station scene?
Get your company to help
Your organisation can make a real difference for children at risk on the UK’s rail network. Partner with us to help protect young people and change lives for good.
*To protect children’s identities, names are changed and models used. We gained consent of the children pictured in accordance with our safeguarding and ethical communications policies. Sophie’s story reflects real situations faced by the children we support.
