Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Home People Dynamic duo become youngest ever to have train named in their honour

Dynamic duo become youngest ever to have train named in their honour

Two mini-marvels have become the youngest ever to have their names on the side of a train as Great Western Railway celebrated their fundraising heroics.

Didcot Town superfan Lincoln Callaghan and young marathon runner Henry Cleary were chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars for selflessly helping others at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lincoln was aged just five when he answered a fundraising appeal from his beloved home-town club, cycling 100k in just one month and then selling football scratch cards to raise more than £3,500 and literally ‘keep the lights on’ at the Southern League outfit.

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Henry, from Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, became so concerned about the plight of homeless people during the pandemic he decided to do something about it, stepping out to run a marathon – at the age of seven. He completed the 26.2 miles over nine days and managed to raise more than £10,000 for homelessness charity Crisis.

The pair were selected as the BBC Make a Difference Superstars by judges following a link-up between the BBC and GWR to celebrate those people going above and beyond to help others in their communities.

Now their names feature at either end of a high-speed Intercity Express Train 800030 as GWR begins the task of honouring the BBC Make a Difference Superstars from nine regions across the network.

The National Railway Museum (NRM) believes Lincoln and Henry are the youngest to have trains named in their honour.

NRM Lead Curator Ed Bartholomew said: “Although other locomotives have been named after Royal children, these will be the youngest non-Royal children to be honoured with a train naming.”  

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Lincoln and Henry have shown incredible resolve and dedication as brilliant fundraisers, and I know their families, friends and communities will be incredibly proud of their achievements.

“Having their names on the side of a GWR train cements their status as Great Westerners, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved honour.”

Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “Lincoln and Henry went to incredible lengths to support such worthy causes and we’re thrilled to add their names to the side of an Intercity Express Train.  

“The GWR has a long and proud history of naming trains after Great Westerners – past and present heroes from across our network – and it’s a real treat to add two such kind-hearted youngsters to that list.

“It was a privilege to partner with the BBC Make a Difference campaign and the stories which featured on BBC local radio were truly overwhelming.”

Head of Audio and Digital for BBC England Chris Burns said: “We have been amazed by the response of many listeners to our Make a Difference campaign on Local BBC Radio, as listeners have been helping each other out throughout the pandemic. 

“It has been humbling that it’s often the oldest and the youngest listeners who have led the way. Lincoln and Henry are the youngest superstars and great examples to the rest of us. Congratulations to them and to the teams at BBC Radio Oxford and Berkshire.”

Photo credit: Great Western Railway

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