Berkshire community hero has GWR train named in her honour

On Monday, 7th March, a community hero from Berkshire who inspired others at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, had a Great Western Railway (GWR) train named in her honour at Reading station.

Sewing bee Tracy Devlin, from Bracknell, was chosen as a BBC Make a Difference Superstar following a link-up between the BBC and GWR to celebrate those people selflessly helping others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Her name now features on Intercity Express Train 8000343, as GWR continues to honour BBC Make a Difference Superstars from nine regions across its network.

Tracy inspired volunteers to make PPE for thousands of people across Berkshire. At the start of lockdown, Tracy, who is a childminder, began voluntary work with the PPE team at Garth Hill College, making scrubs to donate to local hospitals, doctors' surgeries, care homes, schools, and vet practices.

With a team of volunteers from across Berkshire, she then formed a Facebook group called ‘Rainbow Scrubs' to collect donations and make anything from scrubs to masks and headbands. At the height of the pandemic, they also knitted ‘Frontline Hero' bears to raise funds for other items to be given to key workers. Tracy became a coordinator for the collection and delivery of numerous donations of fabric, ribbons, and buttons.

Throughout the pandemic, Tracy and her volunteers made and donated 1,447 scrubs, 5,020 masks, 2,530 scrubs washbags, 1,250 headbands, 853 ear savers, 141 hats, 60 bandanas, 135 crocheted hearts, and 225 ‘Frontline Hero' bears.

Rainbow Scrubs also raised more than £2,100 for local causes, and received a donation of four second-hand iPads which they presented to the Oakwood unit at Prospect Park Hospital in Reading.

Last year, GWR named a train after BBC Berkshire's other Make a Difference Superstars, Didcot Town superfan Lincoln Callaghan.

Bracknell MP James Sunderland, who joined Tracy at Reading Station today, said:

“Tracy's selflessness throughout the pandemic in setting up Rainbow Scrubs and providing vital PPE to the likes of care homes and doctors' surgeries is an example to us all. I'm delighted that her true generosity is being recognised in this way by GWR and BBC Berkshire.”

Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood said:

“Tracy went to incredible lengths to support her community during the pandemic and we're thrilled to add her name 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 her 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 Tracy is a great example to the rest of us. Congratulations to her and to the team at BBC Berkshire.”