On Thursday, 3rd March, two community heroes from BBC’s Bristol region who selflessly helped others at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic recently travelled on a Great Western Railway (GWR) train named in their honour.

Hospital hero Liz Gallagher and ‘mask tree’ creator Naomi Betts were chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars following a link-up between the BBC and GWR to celebrate those people selflessly helping others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Their names were unveiled at a ceremony at Bristol Temple Meads and now feature at each end of Intercity Express Train 800035, as GWR continues to honour BBC Make a Difference Superstars from nine regions across its network.

At the height of the pandemic, Liz Gallagher, a nurse with over 40 years’ experience, delayed her retirement to stay on as ward manager of the Intensive Care Unit at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital. By delaying her retirement, she was able to ensure they had enough ventilators and PPE.

Liz also helped to set up a second unit to cope with Covid-19 patients, but although now ‘retired’, she remains at the hospital in a part-time nursing capacity. She also helped with the rollout of the vaccination programme at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.

Naomi Betts created a ‘mask tree’ to hang face coverings she had been sewing for anyone in the community who needed them. Her social media post went viral and led to more than 400 trees being registered across the UK.  During the first lockdown, Naomi’s community mask tree raised £3,200 for the Hope for Hasti charity and delivered almost 4,000 reusable face coverings.

With the help of her team, Naomi also installed a ‘mask tree’ in Salisbury District Hospital where they distributed 2,000 reusable face coverings and raised over £2,000 for The Stars Appeal, while a sustainability event in Salisbury saw a further 1,000 masks given away.

Nationally, more than 200,000 masks were donated, raising more than £325,000 for charity.

South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland, who joined the winners at Swindon Station today, said: “We all know that our NHS has gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic, but no-one more so than Liz, who delayed her retirement to stay working on the very frontline at the Great Western Hospital. She is a true hero and it is absolutely fitting that GWR and BBC Wiltshire have recognised her in this way.”

Salisbury MP John Glen said: “Before March 2020, I’m not sure many people will have had face coverings as one of their essential daily items; however, when the pandemic hit the likes of Naomi stepped up to provide that much-needed protection for our community, as well as raising money for charity in the process. It’s really fantastic that her contribution is being celebrated by GWR and BBC Wiltshire.”

Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “Liz and Naomi went to incredible lengths to support their communities and we’re thrilled to add their names on 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 these two community stalwarts 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 to learn about the kind-hearted efforts of so many in our communities and Liz and Naomi are great examples to the rest of us. Congratulations to them and to the team at BBC Wiltshire.”