March signifies a significant milestone, as it marks the second anniversary of the Rail Safe Friendly Programme, a journey filled with impactful developments and lessons learned along the way. Over these two years, the programme has evolved, driven by a commitment to enhancing rail safety awareness among young individuals. Rail Safe Friendly has not only aimed to educate but also to foster a culture of safety that resonates with children and their families, ensuring that the message of vigilance and caution is deeply ingrained in their daily lives.
The heartbreaking incident involving 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rail safety. Harrison tragically lost his life due to an accident involving overhead power lines while trying to retrieve a football in a rail freight depot. This devastating event prompted a powerful call to action from his mother, Liz Ballantyne, who emphasised the necessity for every child to be equipped with the knowledge to stay safe. Her heartfelt plea has become a cornerstone of our mission, driving us to ensure that no other family has to endure such a loss.
Over the last two years, we have seen an impressive collaboration with over 100 companies in the rail industry, all united in our mission to enroll every school in the UK in the Rail Safe Friendly Programme by 2027. So far, we have successfully registered more than 8,000 schools, but there is still a considerable amount to cover, as around 24,000 schools remain to be engaged. The journey ahead is crucial, and we are committed to ensuring that every school has the opportunity to participate in the Rail Safe Friendly Programme.
In light of our significant progress, we are excited to announce the launch of a new website for the Rail Safe Friendly Programme. We encourage you to explore railsaefriendly.com, which has been designed to offer valuable information and resources that will help you understand how you can get involved in our efforts to enhance rail safety. By working together, we can create a future where every child is educated about rail safety, fostering a culture that prioritises protection and awareness within our communities and beyond.
We firmly believe that everyone has a part to play in this important mission, whether you are a business executive, teacher, parent, child, or community member. Your engagement can significantly impact our ability to reach more young people and ensure their safety around railways. By helping us spread our message, you can play a crucial role in creating a safer environment for everyone involved.
