Community heroes to be celebrated with their names on Great Western Railway trains

Great Western Railway has revealed the names of the community heroes who will have their names added to the side of trains in the coming weeks.

It follows a competition with the BBC last month to celebrate those community heroes who have been going above and beyond to help others during the pandemic.

It was the BBC Three Counties Radio Make A Difference (MAD) team who first shared the story of Captain Tom Moore.

He captured listeners’ hearts when he set out to do 100 laps of his garden before his 100^th birthday to raise money for the NHS. Soon the rest of the world was cheering him on, too, helping him to raise over £33million.

GWR Interim Managing Director Matthew Golton said: “The GWR has a long and proud history of naming trains after Great Westerners – past and present heroes from across our network.

“It has been a privilege to partner with the BBC Make a Difference campaign and learn more about people who have helped to make such a huge difference in their communities during the pandemic.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “I have been blown away by the efforts of all the COVID-19 heroes during the course of the pandemic. Their dedication and compassion has been truly heart-warming, and made a huge difference in their communities.

“These trains will be a lasting reminder of all those who have gone the extra mile to keep this country going.”

Bristol winners

Two community heroes from the Bristol area who selflessly helped others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic are to have their names featured on the side of a Great Western Railway train.

Nailsea Support Group volunteer Iain Bugler, who sadly passed away in July, and Compassionate Community Emergency Volunteer Response mastermind Sarah Williams-Martin have been chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars.

The pair were selected by judges following a link-up between the BBC and train operator GWR to celebrate those community heroes who have been going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Cornwall winners

Two community heroes from Cornwall who selflessly helped others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic are to have their names featured on the side of a Great Western Railway train.

Teenage fundraising hero Kieron Griffin and foodbank champion Don Gardner have been chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars.

The pair were selected by judges following a link-up between the BBC and train operator GWR to celebrate those community heroes who have been going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Devon winners

Two community heroes from Devon who selflessly helped others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic are to have their names featured on the side of a Great Western Railway train.

Village champion Preston de Mendonca and inspirational street performer Jeremy Doyle have been chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars.

The pair were selected by judges following a link-up between the BBC and train operator GWR to celebrate those community heroes who have been going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Gloucester winners

Two community heroes from Gloucestershire who selflessly helped others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic are to have their names featured on the side of a Great Western Railway train.

Food delivery champion Emma Hurrell and fancy-dress runner Martin Heath have been chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars.

The pair were selected by judges following a link-up between the BBC and train operator GWR to celebrate those community heroes who have been going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Hereford & Worcester winners

Two community heroes from Worcestershire who selflessly helped others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic are to have their names featured on the side of a Great Western Railway train.

Former Syrian TV reporter Mazen Salmou and online community group champion Charlotte Marsland have been chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars.

The pair were selected by judges following a link-up between the BBC and train operator GWR to celebrate those community heroes who have been going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Wiltshire winners

Two community heroes from Wiltshire who selflessly helped others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic are to have their names featured on the side of a Great Western Railway train.

Liz Gallagher, from Swindon’s Great Western Hospital, and Community Mask Tree founder Naomi Betts, from Amesbury, have been chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars.

The pair were selected by judges following a link-up between the BBC and train operator GWR to celebrate those community heroes who have been going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Stephanie Marshall, head of the BBC in the West and South West, said: “The pandemic may have been the worst of times for many of us, but it has brought out the best in so many people.

“Since lockdown began nearly two million listeners have contacted their BBC local radio station either looking for help, or in many cases offering it out through the Make a Difference campaign.

“The stories of local heroism have helped put a smile on faces across the country and I’m incredibly proud that our local radio teams played a part in that.”

Photo credit: Great Western Railway

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