Sekha Hall tells us about his partner Cleveland
Sekha Hall talks about unsafe railway stations and how his partner, Cleveland's life was cut short.
I would like to ask for your help to ensure no other blind or partially sighted people's lives are cut short, like my partner Cleveland's was.
Cleveland lost his life last year when he fell off a train station platform and was struck by the train he was trying to board. The station was not fitted with tactile paving and a report has found it's likely he didn't know how close to the edge he was.
Cleveland loved life and wouldn't want anything to happen to anyone else. He was a people person who told great stories, had friends all over the globe, livened up any party, and adored birds and animals. He'd stay up late on a winter's night listening to the foxes and the song of a robin.
I met Cleveland in 2000, the year he lost his eyesight – it was the beginning of a love affair that would endure for over 19 years. We had many plans for the future, but sadly these never got to happen.
Safety at railway stations needs to be addressed urgently. Please take two minutes to sign RNIB's petition, calling on the Government and Network Rail to take action and make stations safe for blind and partially sighted people.
The more people who join us, the more likely we are to speed up the installation of safety features. For example, since Cleveland’s accident, Eden Park Station is now fitted with tactile paving to assist blind and partially sighted passengers.
Thank you for reading this and supporting our campaign. If you haven’t already, please sign the petition and share it with family and friends.
Best wishes,
Sekha Hall
