May and June saw hundreds of our amazing supporters come together to climb the UK’s highest mountains across two events to raise a massive £262,045 for Railway Children.
Date: 8th July 2024
In May, a record-breaking 138 supporters donned their walking boots and spent 24 hours climbing Yorkshire’s three highest mountains – Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. And, in a drizzly and chilly weekend in June, 171 more supporters tackled Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis.
Together, the events raised a huge £262,045 to enable Railway Children to continue changing the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable children. The top fundraiser titles go to Christopher Maher (Three Peaks by Rail), who raised £6,794 and Susan Holliday (Yorkshire Three Peaks), who raised £5,955. The top fundraising team prize went to East Midlands Railway (Three Peaks by Rail), who raised a whopping £19,700.
Every pound raised helps bring hope and a future to children alone and at risk across India, Tanzania and the UK.
Children like 11-year-old Denis from Tanzania, who ran away from abuse from his stepmother only to face more danger on the streets.
Railway Children family workers were able to support Denis and help reunite him with his mother. But there are many more children still waiting for help. It’s those children who, amid the energy, enthusiasm and exhaustion of the three peaks challenges, spur participants to keep on climbing.
But there’s also another great reason to take part in these, now legendary, events.
“There was such a great atmosphere during the event,” says Joe, a participant in the Yorkshire Three Peaks event for the third year running.
But none of this would have been possible without the support of our amazing sponsors, Angel Trains (Yorkshire Three Peaks) and Porterbrook (Three Peaks by Rail).
We’re so grateful to these companies for continuing to donate their time, money and resources so these events can go ahead. And, of course, their teams tackle the mountains too!
“It’s fantastic to be able to support Railway Children through our ongoing sponsorship and active involvement in the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge,” said Nick Vobe, Redelivery Manager at Railway Children. “The event is a great opportunity to come together and help children enjoy a better and brighter future.”
“Porterbrook is proud to continue sponsoring the Railway Children Three Peaks by Rail challenge,” said Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook. “It’s a tough event to complete, but those taking part always feel immense pride when they reach the peak of Ben Nevis, knowing their endurance and perseverance has helped the charity continue its mission to end street life for children everywhere.”
The three-day route took cyclists from Ebbsfleet International to Dover, Dover to Brighton and Brighton to London Waterloo, raising vital funds to support vulnerable children.
Railway Children will feature in a special BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal this September, shining a light on the challenges faced by street children in Tanzania and the life-changing support available through our work.
Railway Children marked 30 years of supporting vulnerable children with a special parliamentary reception at the House of Commons.
We’re proud to highlight how our initiatives are empowering young girls in vulnerable communities.
Subira is a family project worker for Railway Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Here is an exploration of her work and the impact that it has as she supports street-connected children and reunites families.
Learn about safeguarding and how it relates to child protection on transport networks.
