83-Year-old June Rosen has seen her dream come true thanks to a surprise visit to Stockport Station organised by her daughter Cari and Avanti West Coast.
Grandmother of four, June, has had a longstanding dream to announce mainline trains, and she has finally achieved her ambition, keeping passengers up to date with arrivals and departures, bringing cheer to passengers with a warm welcome over the station's microphone.
June is a retired NHS worker of nearly 60 years and is now a volunteer at her local hospice and revealed her dream to announce trains during her 82nd birthday saying how much she enjoyed standing on platforms and listening to announcements, imagining what a lovely job it must be.
In childhood, June travelled by train to visit her grandparents and continues to travel by train to visit her family in London, making her way with Avanti West Coast from Stockport.
Cari Rosen, June's daughter, got straight to work after discovering her mum's railway dream and said:
“The railway brings our family together, which is important to us all, so I thought if it's possible for my mum to experience what it's like to be a Station Announcer, it would make it even more special”
The special day appeared to be a regular day out by train for June with Cari. On arriving at Stockport station, June was greeted by the Avanti West Coast team who gave her a behind-the-scenes tour of the station ahead of making her dream come true by letting her read the announcements for passengers.
Cari went on to say:
“Mum always puts others first. She's an amazing mum, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her work has been about other people and anyone who has ever worked with her is only too aware of how much she cared for her patients and the comfort she brought to many in their final days.”
“Even now, in retirement, she continues to use those skills and qualities in her volunteering role. She does so much for others and it's lovely to be able to do something for her that shows how much she is valued by everyone who knows her. It's wonderful with the help of Avanti West Coast we've been able to let mum fulfil her long-held dream.”
Karen Grimshaw, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Stockport, said:
“When we heard June's story, we couldn't wait to welcome her to Stockport to experience the role of Station Announcer, especially as the railway is close to her heart. While announcements are there to keep people safe and informed, they also provide an opportunity to brighten someone's day.”
“June did a brilliant job of being that friendly, comforting voice and judging by the reaction of people's faces, they seemed to enjoy listening to the announcements as much as she did reading them! We're delighted to have played our part in making a dream come true and hope June will always remember this day.”
