Two Merseyrail employees are celebrating after being recognised for their contribution towards colleagues’ wellbeing.

Ronnie Hardman and Hannah Tanassum were each nominated for a Railway Benevolent Fund Heart of Gold award.

These are national awards and aim to celebrate people working in the rail industry who have made a real difference in their workplace or their community.

It’s down to people working in the industry to nominate colleagues and then take part in the nationwide vote, thus giving employees a chance to thank those colleagues they appreciate, value and from whom they draw inspiration.

Ronnie recently retired from Merseyrail after working for more than 46 years as a station retailer and a trade union representative. He received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

His nomination noted how he worked tirelessly to support colleagues, even visiting those who has fallen sick in hospitals, hospices or at home and supporting families through the toughest of times. The nomination also referred to his ongoing passion to help not only colleagues but also friends through volunteering.

Hannah, Merseyrail’s Employee Experience Manager, received the Rising Star of the Year Award and was described as someone who always aspired to deliver a standard of excellence in her work. She is recognised as someone who seeks to ensure her colleagues are supported and to know that they are cared for. She has organised a number of business-wide events, all of which have been supported by a significant number of colleagues.  These include menopause awareness sessions, prostate cancer screening and testing for diabetes and raised cholesterol levels which has, in some cases, led to the discovery of unknown health issues thus allowing early intervention.

Ronnie Hardman said: “It was a real honour to be nominated and I’m so surprised to have won the award. I’m really pleased, and so thankful for so many people voting for me.”

Hannah Tabassum added: “It is such a lovely surprise that I have won, thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for me. It is great to know that my work is being appreciated and making a difference to our colleagues at Merseyrail.”

Jane English, People Director at Merseyrail, said: “I am delighted to see two such worthy colleagues recognised Nationally for their hard work in this way. Both Ronnie and Hannah are fantastic examples of all we hope to achieve as a business. Their drive and commitment to support and care for their colleagues as they deliver a train service to the people of the Liverpool City Region is fantastic to see. They truly have hearts of gold.