Gloucestershire community heroes travel on GWR train named in their honour

Martin, dubbed the Mitcheldean Running Man, and Emma, from Stroud, were chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars for selflessly helping others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the first lockdown, Martin – who wore a special Isambard Kingdom Brunel outfit for today’s ceremony – clocked up a total of 440 miles over 101 days, raising community spirits by running in a different fancy-dress costume every day.

Emma works at the Long Table social enterprise initiative in Brimscombe, near Stroud, and helped to create a campaign which delivered 40,000 meals across Gloucestershire.

The pair were selected as BBC Make a Difference Superstars by judges following a link-up between the BBC and GWR to celebrate those people going above and beyond to help others in their communities.

Now their names feature at either end of Intercity Express Train 800033 as GWR continues to honour BBC Make a Difference Superstars from nine regions across the network.

Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper said:

“I’m really pleased that Martin Heath – the Forest of Dean’s Mitcheldean Running Man – is getting a well-deserved, lasting piece of recognition for his superb fundraising efforts for worthy causes including the brilliant Great Oaks Hospice.

“During challenging times, Martin put a smile on the face of many in the Forest of Dean, so I thank GWR and BBC Radio Gloucestershire for paying tribute to him in this way.”

Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie said:

“The Long Table was at the very heart of our community throughout the pandemic, with Emma at its core. They ensured thousands of people remained well-fed – including NHS frontline workers and the homeless.

“I love visiting them and I am delighted that Emma’s name will now adorn a GWR train to mark her outstanding contribution to our community and the Long Table.”

Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood said:

“Martin and Emma went to incredible lengths to support their communities and we’re thrilled to add their names onto 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 Martin and Emma are great examples to the rest of us. Congratulations to them and to the team at BBC Gloucestershire.”

MARTIN HEATH

Martin ran in different fancy-dress costumes every day, except for Easter, when his popular chicken suit made a reappearance. Parents praised his efforts for giving their children something to look forward to, while older members of the community said he had eased their feelings of isolation.

More than 300 villagers turned out to cheer him on for his last run and he was even given a police escort. Martin’s gruelling efforts helped raise £840 for Muscular Dystrophy UK and £1,390 for Great Oaks Hospice Forest of Dean. 

EMMA HURRELL

The Long Table social enterprise provides pay-as-you-can meals for the people of Gloucestershire, from its community canteens in Brimscombe and Matson.  

Emma and her team could have easily decided to go on furlough at the outbreak of the pandemic, but instead created the Feeding the Five Thousand campaign that cooked and delivered over 40,000 meals around the county during lockdown. They fed NHS frontline workers, people in homeless shelters, those on low incomes and people who were shielding or quarantining.