All aboard! Train name fame for 18 BBC Radio listeners across the South West

From Monday 10 August BBC Radio in your area is calling on listeners to nominate their Make a Difference Superstars to celebrate people who have been going above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the stories will feature on air in a special programme on Friday 11th September and a judging panel will select two Make A Difference Superstars from each of the nine BBC local radio patches taking part to have a Great Western Railway high speed train named after them!

For the last four months BBC local radio across the country has been highlighting stories of people making a difference with Make a Difference broadcasts and podcasts. 

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 100th birthday to raise money for the NHS. Soon the rest of the world was cheering him on too helping him to raise over £33million.

Now the teams are calling on listeners to reward the superstars up their street and in their neighbourhoods. It could be a youngster who has been looking after Mum, a budding cook who has been baking for their neighbours, a key worker who has been a special help to a family.

Chris Burns, Head of BBC Audio and Digital says: “Radio has the power to bring people together and while COVID19 is a global pandemic, it’s impact had been very localised and MAD has highlighted what people have done locally to help each other. We want to recognise the acts of kindness that have been a part of this difficult time. So we are asking people to tell us about their local heroes, those who have lifted your spirits, made them laugh or cry or maybe even literally saved their life?”

GWR Interim Managing Director Matthew Golton said: “The GWR has a long history of naming trains after those who have made a difference in their communities, recognising past and present stars from across our network.  

“As key workers ourselves we recognise only too well the sacrifices many have made to keep people safe and we want to reward their efforts. We have been keeping key workers and community heroes moving throughout the pandemic and continue to do so, and it is lovely to be able to recognise just a handful in this way.

“I am honoured that today we are able to partner with the BBC Make a Difference campaign, to recognise those who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to meet the needs of their communities, and the communities we serve. Listening to BBC local radio we were touched by the stories that we have heard.” 

The following BBC Radio stations are taking part, two listeners from each station will be selected to have trains named after them:

BBC Radio Bristol

BBC Radio Wiltshire

BBC Hereford and Worcester

BBC Radio Oxford

BBC Radio Berkshire

BBC Radio Somerset

BBC Radio Devon

BBC Radio Cornwall

BBC Radio Gloucester

Tell a story of someone who has made a difference to you, your friends, family or community. To nominate someone who’s ‘made a difference’ visit www.bbc.co.uk/makeadifference  for more details about the award, terms and privacy notice. Nomination period closes 30 August 2020 at midnight.