SPREADING SMILES AND STORIES - ARL WORLD BOOK DAY CELEBRATION

On Thursday, March 7, ARL was happy to celebrate World Book Day at Shoreditch High Street, Gospel Oak, and Hackney Downs.

We handed out over 400 free books across the three locations to children aged 3-13, including personal donations from Kate Marjoribanks, Sara Barrow, and Aliyah Abdulla.

At the helm of this commendable effort was Olamide Adeuya, customer host also known as Dede, who orchestrated the logistics as a valued member of the Parents, Carers, and Guardians group. With the invaluable support of Neal Bailey, customer experience manager, Dede's leadership it has ensured a seamless execution of the event, leaving a lasting impact on both participants and observers alike.

Reflecting on the significance of World Book Day, Dede stated:

“Setting an example is crucial within any group or business, whether it's a corporate setting, sports team, or even among family and friends. By leading and offering support, strong bonds are formed.

“My experiences working with London Overground, participating in People Steering Group as well as Parents, Carers and Guidance Steering Group have been instrumental in my personal growth and confidence. These opportunities have provided me with invaluable resources and encouragement to continuously strive, learn, and persevere. As a business with an exceptionally talented team, let’s embrace World Book Day to motivate the younger generation through the joy of reading.

“As parents, it's crucial for us to recognise the immense importance of reading books in our children's lives. Beyond simply providing information, reading together creates beautiful moments that strengthen the bonds within our families. When we sit down with our children and share stories, we're not just engaging in a pastime; we're building connections that last a lifetime.

"These experiences give a sense of closeness and trust, making our relationships with our children even more meaningful. Equally, reading opens a world of imagination for our little ones. They can start magical adventures, meet fascinating characters, and explore new ideas through books. This journey of the imagination brings creativity and curiosity, helping our children develop essential skills for navigating the world around them."

Echoing Dede's sentiments, Neal Bailey, customer experience manager, underscored the value of collective action in effecting meaningful change:

"Sometimes we may question ourselves and ponder how we can make a difference in life, society or the wider world. The truth is, sometimes we don't have to think too big or aim too high, or in most cases, look too far, as those little consistent wins and achievements often amount to what we often label the "Big wins". As the community and engagement champion, and of course, with your help, that is precisely what I hope to achieve, the little wins that have a BIG impact.

"I wanted to take the time to recognise and commend Dede for taking ownership over his own impact and bringing us along. He reached out to me and others to ask if there was something that we could do as a company in celebration of World Book Day to give back to the local communities in situ of our stations, and we ran with that vision. Well done, Dede."

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the day in all three locations. Please scroll down to see our colleagues in action.