Brave Freya, nine, has train named in her honour by Great Western Railway

The nine-year-old, who is currently battling a third brain tumour, unveiled Intercity Express Train number 800317 at London Paddington before boarding her own train home to Neath.

She was chosen for the train naming as part of GWR’s Great Westerners campaign, recognising past and present heroes from across the network.

Other Great Westerners to be celebrated include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Welsh sporting legends Sir Gareth Edwards and John Charles, and Paddington Bear author Michael Bond.

Freya was in London this week to meet TV star and children’s author David Walliams, having been nominated for a Pride of Britain Award.

Freya said:

“Having a train named after me has made me feel really good and happy and special.”

Her mum Katherine added:

“For Great Western Railway to recognise Freya as a Great Westerner means so much to all of us. People have recognised her great strength and determination she’s a real inspiration to so many.”

Freya was diagnosed with a Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour (PNET) when she was just a baby and underwent pioneering treatment in America after her family raised £110,000 to fund the trip.

Sadly, in October last year, an MRI scan revealed a new tumour had grown and she returned to America for further Proton Beam Therapy with the same doctor who had treated her previously.

Since returning home a new tumour has appeared and is growing rapidly. Freya is about to start a new drug from Germany which has the ability to shrink the tumour, but it costs £1,000 a week.

Her family have embarked on another round of fundraising and anyone wishing to help can visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-freyas-bevans-cancer-treatment

GWR Head of External Communications Dan Panes said:

“Our Great Westerners campaign celebrates remarkable people from across our network and Freya is a brilliant example. She has shown such courage throughout her young life and we are proud to name one of our IETs in her honour.”

Notes to editors

First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR was recently awarded an extension to its direct award franchise (called DA3), which shall run up to 31 March 2023, with an option to extend for a further year. 
Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us 

GWR’s enhanced cleaning regime includes: 

• A 24% increase in cleaning hours every week since March 2020 
• Sanitising (fogging) of 1,120 vehicles every 4 weeks 
• Carrying out 2,150 on board surface tests (ATP) every four weeks, to ensure the effectiveness of our cleaning 
• 272 train cleaning processes reviewed, and many adapted 
• Hand sanitising facilities at key stations across its network.