Since launching in 2018, Railway Children’s Night at the Station has raised more than £880,000 to reach and protect some of the world’s most vulnerable children. This year, the charity is aiming to surpass the £1m mark – and is calling on the rail community and individual supporters to help reach the target.
Author: Hannah Shakespeare | Date: 27th February 2026
Proudly sponsored by VolkerRail, the event – now in its eighth year – is taking place at nine stations across the UK. Participants are invited to spend one cold, dark night on a hard station floor to raise vital funds for children with nowhere safe to go, night after night.
Over the past eight years, around 2,000 people from across the railway family and the country have come together with a shared commitment to make a difference for children like Lara.
14-year-old Lara* was found alone and in crisis on railway tracks in the UK. Following support from Railway Children, she is now building a brighter future and hopes to join the police, where she can use her experiences to help other young people.
Lara is just one of thousands of young people across the UK, India and Tanzania that Railway Children has supported, thanks to funds raised through events like this.
“By signing up to Night at the Station, not only are people ensuring we continue to reach and protect children when they need us most, but they have a brilliant night of fun and camaraderie,” says Rob Capener, CEO of Railway Children.
Andrew Wilkins, VolkerRail’s Finance Director, commented:
“VolkerRail has, for many years, supported Railway Children’s valuable work to make the lives of countless vulnerable young people so much better. We are delighted to continue our support by sponsoring and participating in the 2026 event.”
With just a few weeks left to sign up, don’t miss your chance to join colleagues, friends and fellow changemakers, after hours, for a night of camaraderie, commitment and cause.
*Name changed
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.
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.
No child wants to survive on the streets. And, through understanding and empowerment, together, we can ensure no child has to.
