Leeds Rhinos Foundation is excited to announce the launch of a new, exciting project with Network Rail, bringing a vital railway safety initiative to children across the city.
This project will use the charity’s community outreach efforts to promote essential safety messages to young people, educating them on how to stay safe when near train stations, level crossings, and railway tracks.
Through a series of engaging, hour-long workshops, children will learn about the dangers of railway environments whilst also taking part in physical activities designed to reinforce key safety topics. The workshop will cover a range of important subjects, including the risks associated with level crossings, the role of British Transport Police, and the hidden dangers that can lurk around train tracks.
The aim is to ensure that young people are fully aware of the potential hazards in and around train stations, as well as the vital precautions they need to take to stay safe.
Gareth Cook Head of Community and Engagement at Leeds Rhinos Foundation said:
“We are delighted to partner with Network Rail to support their campaign to encourage children and young people to stay safe near the railway tracks. There are some alarming figures with regards incidents that occur.
“We hope that using the brand of the Rhinos, we can pass on key messages for young people to take on board and reduce the risks. We would like to thank Chloe and the team for their support for this initiative and look forward to rolling it out across schools during the next academic year.”
Worrying new data shows 535 dangerous railway trespassing incidents involving young people across Network Rail’s North and East route since July 2024, with Leeds accounting for over 220 of these.
The figures highlight a concerning pattern of risk-taking behaviour that is putting young lives in danger across the railway network, with Leeds having an average of nearly one incident per day, resulting in a great many of its schools being classed as very high risk and is why Network Rail has collaborated with the charity for this project.
Chloe Creffield, Community Safety Manager for Network Rail, states:
“Network Rail believes that that Leeds Rhinos Foundation can raise the awareness of what the dangers of the railway are within the time that they are in schools, in an engaging sports related fact method that stays with the students. Hopefully, making them think about the very real consequences that can happen if the wrong choices are made”
As part of the project, each child who participates in the workshop will be given the opportunity to create a poster highlighting key railway safety messages. The best designs submitted each half-term will be featured in the Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s rail safety campaign across their social media channels, with the possibility of being displayed at local train stations or platforms, helping to spread the safety message further.
In addition, all children will be encouraged to submit their safety posters to the Backtrack competition, a national contest run by the Community Rail Education Network. Winning entries will be rewarded with exciting tech prizes, providing an added incentive for students to get creative while learning about an essential topic.
For more information or to get involved, please visit the Network Rail website or follow the campaign on social media.