RS Clare is proud to be working closely in partnership with the Rail Safe Friendly (RSF) programme, an initiative delivered by Learn Live UK, dedicated to raising rail safety awareness among young people across the UK.
RSF has recently launched a powerful new video, “Interview with Liz Ballantyne”, which highlights the critical importance of rail safety education.
The video features Liz Ballantyne, a rail safety campaigner, who shares her deeply personal story following the tragic loss of her 11-year-old son, Harrison, in 2017. Harrison was electrocuted after encountering overhead power lines at Daventry Depot. Liz’s advocacy has since become the driving force behind RSF, which has already reached over 3 million young people in more than 11,000 schools since its launch in March 2023.
You can watch the full video here.
Stuart Heaton, Managing Director of Learn Live UK and Rail Safe Friendly, emphasised the significance of the video:
“Liz’s courage in sharing her story continues to inspire our work every single day. Her honesty and determination remind us why education must always come before tragedy…Through collaboration between schools, parents, and rail partners, we can make rail safety part of everyday learning, just like road safety and internet safety.”
David Meadows, Managing Director at RS Clare, echoed this commitment:
“At RS Clare, safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to support the Rail Safe Friendly programme in its mission to protect young people across the UK. By raising awareness of the dangers surrounding railways, this initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to protecting lives and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the rail industry.”
The RSF programme uses engaging digital content to educate children about the hidden dangers of railways, such as overhead power lines and the speed and silence of trains. By equipping schools and parents with the tools to start life-saving conversations, RSF aims to make rail safety education as commonplace as road safety.
Liz Ballantyne, who features in the video, shared her motivation:
“Talking about what happened to Harrison will never be easy, but it’s something I know I need to keep doing. If sharing our story means that even one young person stops to think before taking a risk near the railway, then it’s worth it.”
RS Clare’s partnership with RSF underscores the power of collaboration in creating safer communities. Together, they invite more organisations to join the movement and help expand the programme’s reach, ensuring that rail safety becomes an integral part of education for future generations.
For more information about the Rail Safe Friendly programme, visit The Rail Safe Friendly Programme.
