A group of Network Rail colleagues recently took on the challenge of walking the 28 miles from Woking station in Surrey to London Waterloo station to raise money for the Railway Children charity.

The walkers were from Network Rail’s maintenance delivery unit at Clapham, which is responsible for the maintenance of the railway in the Clapham area.

Together, they came up with the idea for the charity walk, and so far have raised over £3,500 as a result of their efforts.

The walkers comprising 29 colleagues from the maintenance delivery unit completed the 28-mile walk on Friday, 17 May,

During the walk, 11 other Network Rail colleagues and a dog joined them at various stages. Excellent progress was kept up throughout the walk, and they arrived at London Waterloo Station an hour ahead of schedule.

David Maidment OBE, British Rail’s former Head of Safety Policy, founded the Railway Children charity in 1995 to help vulnerable children in India, Tanzania, and the UK at risk on the streets and on transport networks to reshape their future.

Working in partnership with transport operators and the transport community, the charity sets up safety networks that identify children at risk and help them to reach safety.

It provides outreach, advocacy, and support services for vulnerable children living on the streets or at risk of exploitation around railway stations. Those found at risk are offered shelter and education, and provided with the chance of rehabilitation and empowerment.

The walkers have a JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/walktheduchallenge where anyone wishing to donate to their sponsorship for Railway Children can donate.

Next month, train operator c2c is hosting an Ultra Marathon in aid of the charity, and last year, a 20 km walk was organised in aid of the charity from Wembley Park to Aldgate along the route of London Underground’s Metropolitan Line

The walk from Woking to Waterloo was an amazing day and one for the memory banks. I’d like to thank everyone involved in the organising and all who took part. It was particularly amazing that everyone finished an hour before the Google Maps prediction, with some nearly three hours ahead of schedule.

Railway Children is a charity that is close to the hearts of all of us on the Wessex route and we are proud to support them through this activity.”

Jack Roberts, Network Rail project manager, who helped organise the walk

The walk that Network Rail colleagues completed from Woking to Waterloo in aid of Railway Children is very fitting as Railway Children was launched from Waterloo station. Almost thirty years later, I remain so thankful for our relationship with the rail industry and the vital support of fundraising events such as this that enable us to meet the needs of children and young people around the world who are vulnerable and at risk.

David Maidment OBE, founder of Railway Children