Two community heroes from Cornwall who selflessly helped others at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic are to have their names featured on the side of a Great Western Railway train.

Foodbank champion Don Gardner and teenage fundraising hero Kieron Griffin have been chosen as BBC Make a Difference Superstars.

The pair were selected by judges following a link-up between the BBC and train operator GWR to celebrate those community heroes who have been going above and beyond during the pandemic.

Now plans are being made for their names to be added to either end of a high-speed Intercity Express Train.

GWR interim managing director Matthew Golton said: “The GWR has a long and proud history of naming trains after Great Westerners – past and present heroes from across our network – and to that list now we can add the names of Kieron Griffin and Don Gardner.

“It has been a privilege to partner with the BBC Make a Difference campaign and learn more about people like Kieron and Don, who have helped to make such a huge difference in their communities during the pandemic.

“Listening to BBC local radio we were particularly overwhelmed by the stories of these two winners and I hope our train-naming ceremonies will serve as a fitting tribute to them.”

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Don Gardner has made a huge difference to the people of Camborne since getting involved with the local foodbank, particularly during the pandemic.

He has helped to ensure families receive food supplies and that children entitled to free hot meals continued to receive them during the school holidays.

Described as a ‘lovely, genuine, caring person’, Don is a regular voice on BBC Cornwall appealing for contributions to the foodbank.

Falmouth Packet:

Kieron Griffin with mum Marie

Kieron Griffin is partially sighted, autistic, has epilepsy, low muscle tone and scoliosis amongst other health issues. But this did not stop him taking a leaf out of Captain Sir Tom Moore’s book by walking ten laps of his garden every day.

The teenager from St Newlyn East, near Newquay, had to shield during lockdown because of his genetic disability but the sponsored walks saw him raise £5,135 for the Covid-19 fund and Child Health at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

He raised a further £585 for the acute liaison nurses at RCH on his 18th birthday, proving himself to be a true inspiration and helping those around him through lockdown.

BBC Cornwall was one of nine local radio stations to team up with GWR and the names of 18 Make a Difference Superstars will adorn its high-speed trains.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “These trains will be a lasting reminder of all those who have gone the extra mile to keep this country going.”