Southeast Communities Rail Partnership (SCRP) distributed knitted white hearts to passengers across its network on White Ribbon Day to highlight the global campaign to end violence against women and girls.

White Ribbon Day, held every year on 25 November, is a national awareness campaign to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes. The charity encourages everyone, especially men and boys, to make the White Ribbon Promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women.  

This year, Sussex Coast CRP – one of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership’s ten community rail lines – partnered with West Sussex County Council on the ‘Your Community Cares’ campaign.

Thanks to an extraordinary community effort, local volunteers crocheted and knitted over 6,000 white hearts, which were handed out to rail passengers and staff as a symbol of care, kindness and solidarity.

The knitted hearts were accompanied by cards with QR codes signposting to resources and support services including White Ribbon, the Samaritans, the council safeguarding team and Southeast Communities Rail Partnership.

More than 20 stations across the region, including Eastbourne, Hastings, Ashford, Brighton, Hove, Horsham, Chichester, Crawley and Reading took part in the day of action, with support from Southeast Communities Rail Partnership staff, station partners, councillors, and volunteers.

Tim Barkley, chair of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership, said: “White Ribbon Day is an important reminder that safety and support must always be within reach. The white hearts show that your community cares and that no one should feel alone. By working together across our stations, we are helping to raise awareness of help available and encouraging conversations that make our communities safer.”

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from Southeast Communities Rail Partnership via their website.