At Belvoir Rail, we are dedicated to creating safer communities and empowering young people with the knowledge to navigate their surroundings confidently and safely.
In 2024, our commitment to this mission took centre stage through our participation in the Rail Safe Friendly programme. This initiative promotes railway safety and raises awareness about the often hidden dangers of railway environments.
Harrison's Story
Our journey with Rail Safe Friendly began after hearing the deeply moving story of Liz Ballantyne, who tragically lost her 11-year-old son, Harrison.
Harrison’s life was cut short when he was electrocuted by 25,000 volt overhead cables. He had climbed on to a stationary freight wagon to retrieve a football and received a fatal electric shock from the cable, despite not touching it.
The tragic loss of Harrison serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers surrounding railway spaces, and the critical importance of educating young people about these risks.
Harrison's mother, Liz Ballantyne, said she learnt the importance of teaching rail safety "too late" and urges other parents to talk to children about railway dangers so they "know how to keep themselves safe".
Harrison’s story has driven to take action. At Belvoir Rail we knew we had to contribute to the mission of educating young people about both the obvious and hidden dangers of the railway, and preventing further tragedies.
The Difference We Made in 2024
Last year, we proudly supported Rail Safe Friendly, working with them to make rail safety education more accessible. Here’s what we’ve achieved together:
- Sponsored 10 local schools: We enabled these schools to access vital safety resources, empowering students with life-saving knowledge
- Engaged 7,275 viewers: Our sponsored content helped thousands understand railway safety
- Created a social value of £203,409: But to us, the real value is knowing we’ve saved lives and given people tools to stay safe
Every person reached contributes to a safer future and brings us closer to young people and their families understanding the risks of the railway and how to stay safe.
We will be continuing to support Rail Safe Friendly in 2025, helping young people make safe choices around the railway.