Trains to be named after BBC Radio Devon’s lockdown heroes
Two inspirational volunteers will have trains named after them for their outstanding work during the coronavirus pandemic.
Preston De Mendonca and Jeremy Doyle were nominated by listeners to become BBC Radio Devon’s ‘Make a Difference Superstars’. They will each have a high-speed Great Western Railway (GWR) train named after them.
Preston De Mendonca was a key organiser in setting up a Good Neighbours Scheme in Cornwood, which ensured that every household was supported by at least one volunteer who could shop or run errands for those who were unable to do so.
He kept the village shop open when the owner had to self-isolate by recruiting and organising for it to be staffed by volunteers, and supported struggling families by continuing Cornwood Village Hall’s distribution of food to those who were dependent on the food bank.
Jeremy Doyle from Totnes organised a support group of local residents to help shop for those at risk or isolating, inspiring others to do the same. He showed small acts of kindness by giving out DIY tips (including how to construct a wooden bench!), organising the donation of plants, driving people to hospital and delivering meals for Totnes Caring.
He even arranged socially distant coffee mornings and three concerts in his street, where he joined in on the performances, helping to lift people’s spirits.
Since the pandemic began BBC Radio Devon has been running its Make a Difference campaign, which gives regular coronavirus updates and links up those who need help with those who can offer it.
In August the station teamed up with GWR to find two ‘Make a Difference Superstars’ in the BBC Radio Devon area who could have trains named after them.
Dozens of people got in touch with nominations and a panel whittled them down to Preston and Jeremy.
Preston De Mendonca – bringing the community together
Preston said: “It’s astonishing how wonderful people are in Devon. Everyone’s really keen to help and all we need, I guess, is permission to do so.
“Volunteering doesn’t mean it all lands on your shoulders. It just means you get a small group of people to support each other and the main thing is to persuade people that they have it in them and that the world isn’t going to end if there’s a hiccup along the road.”
Jeremy Doyle – the man to put a smile on peoples face
Speaking to the station after finding out he had won, Jeremy said: “I’m completely astonished.
“It will not seem real if suddenly I’m standing there and there’s a train with Jeremy Doyle on it
“[Lockdown] reinforced my view that it’s people that matter. It doesn’t cost you anything to be cheerful and I’m very fortunate so I can be cheerful. And it doesn’t cost you anything to be helpful either, it might cost you a bit of time but nearly all of us have had a lot of that on our hands recently.”
The nine BBC local radio stations in the GWR area are taking part in ‘Make a Difference Superstars’. Two people from each area will have trains named after them, meaning a total of 18 trains will be named after local lockdown heroes.
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 BBC Radio Devon played a part in that.”
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 – and to that list now we can add the names of Preston De Mendonca and Jeremy Doyle from the BBC Radio Devon region.
“It has been a privilege to partner with the BBC Make a Difference campaign and learn more about those people who have helped to make such a huge difference in their communities during the pandemic.
“Listening to BBC Radio Devon we were particularly overwhelmed by the stories of these two winners and I hope our train-naming ceremonies will serve as a fitting tribute to them.”
