THE founder of the Railway Children charity is calling on people to support the group's Go MAD appeal.

David Maidment, from Nantwich, who established Railway Children almost 14 years ago is encouraging people from all walks of life to spare an hour or so to help children in desperate need of saving from the dangers of starvation, sexual abuse and drugs.

Now aged 71, David thinks back to 1995 when he first decided to set up the charity which currently supports more than 25,000 street children every year.

It was a visit to India that he will never forget.

Then a senior manager with British Rail, David arrived at a Bombay station to come face to face with a small filthy girl of about six years of age asking for money.

He explained: “As I had no loose change, I waved her away, when - to my horror and confusion - she produced a whip and began to lash her bare back.

"She again asked for money and now very shaken and upset, I ran away and stopped in a shop doorway to pull myself together.

“I eventually went back - I have no idea what I thought I was going to do - but the girl had disappeared into the morning rush hour crowds.

“Her sad brown eyes haunted me for weeks until my anger at the injustice drove me to action.

"I realised the need for outreach on the railway stations as many street children congregate there and so I persuaded a number of colleagues in the railway industry to join me in founding a charity called Railway Children.”

The organisation was launched 'under the clock' on Waterloo station by Bob Horton, chairman of Railtrack and Tony Roche, deputy chairman of British Rail, on May 31 1995.

Since that time, Railway Children has grown rapidly, with many projects across India and the rest of the world, thanks to the generosity of the rail industry and many individuals.