Avanti West Coast has won two Creative Moment Awards for a campaign aimed at raising awareness of vulnerable young people on the rail network.

Centred around a powerful five-minute film to help passengers spot the signs of a runaway child, the ‘Your Presence is Presents Enough’ campaign, was named ‘Creative Auto/Transport Campaign of the Year’. Delivered in partnership with UK charity, Railway Children, the short also won the ‘Creative Film of the Year’ category at the Creative Moment Awards 2026.

The annual awards celebrate exceptional creative work across the PR, advertising, marketing and communications sector.

Judges praised the campaign, developed in partnership with creative PR and communications agency, Mischief, as ‘very striking with brilliant assets and results’ for emphasising how everyone can help protect vulnerable children, especially at Christmas.

The judges said the film keeps audiences ‘engaged’ and its positive ending provides a ‘sense of hope’ and ‘reinforces the message in a memorable way’.  

Premiering on Avanti West Coast’s YouTube channel in December 2025, the feature was designed to encourage passengers to take notice of their surroundings. It was purposely five minutes in length to reflect the rate at which a child runs away in the UK.

It was written and directed by BAFTA breakthrough writer and director, Daisy-May Hudson, who worked with youth ambassadors from Railway Children to bring the voices of lived experience, so it was rooted in real stories.  

Throughout the festive travel period, announcements voiced by the film’s child actress were played at stations across the West Coast Main Line, featuring the call to action, advising what to do and who to contact.

Messaging was amplified through signage on benches at Crewe and Stockport, posters onboard trains and at stations, as well as social media and out of home advertising. 

Following the four-week campaign, 91 percent of passengers said they are now more likely to look up and recognise the signs of a vulnerable young person. While 83 percent are more likely to report a child at risk*.

Prior to the initiative, nearly four in five adults (78 percent) admitted they couldn’t confidently spot a runaway child.

Vicki Hamilton, Social Media Marketing Campaigns Consultant at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re proud our safeguarding campaign and the film at the heart of it, has been recognised by the creative industry for being memorable and engaging.

“The festive period is one of the busiest times on the railway, but it can also be a time when people are distracted. This means vulnerable children go unnoticed, so it’s vital passengers know the signs to look out for and how they can help keep young people safe. Working with Railway Children and Mischief, we wanted to create a powerful campaign that would help people recognise a vulnerable child and give them the confidence to act. We’re pleased it has made a genuine difference by raising awareness of an important issue and helping more people to know what to do if they have concerns.”

Chloe August, Director at Mischief, said: “We are incredibly proud of this campaign and the results it has achieved in raising awareness of vulnerable young people who use the rail network. It has been a true joint effort between Avanti, Railway Children and Mischief and the campaigns success is testament to it being recognised by the wider creative industry.”

Suzi Lawrence, Head of Marketing and Communications at Railway Children, said: “We’re delighted to see this campaign recognised with these two awards. This campaign demonstrates the powerful impact that can be achieved when organisations come together to tackle an important issue – one that for Railway Children is fundamental to our work. We’re incredibly grateful to Avanti West Coast for their commitment to safeguarding vulnerable young people and for using their voice, platforms and reach to raise awareness about issues that often goes unseen.

“Every year, vulnerable children and young people who are frightened, alone or at-risk pass through the rail network. By taking this message directly to passengers through trusted railway channels, the campaign has helped raise awareness, spark conversations and give people the confidence to act if they spot a child who may need help.”

To watch the film, visit: 

Source: Avanti West Coast