Thameslink railway personnel rallied round to give support following an appeal made by Luton and Dunstable Hospital for food and personal items for staff.
The appeal was spotted on social media by Thameslink passenger host Eloise Rowan, who then spread the word amongst her colleagues and coordinated donations for the hospital. Passenger hosts, ticket gate staff, rail enforcement and revenue protection officers, all based at Luton station, were among those to help.
Within two days, Eloise had eight shopping bags containing nearly 300 food and personal items to donate. Items included toothbrushes, shower gel, sanitary products, shampoo, deodorant, as well as snacks and drinks, which she delivered to the hospital on Monday 30 March along with a thank you card with the names of all those who had contributed.
Eloise, 30, who lives in Dunstable, said: “I saw a post on Facebook from my local hospital and I just wanted to help. Within an hour of speaking to staff at Luton, I had received financial donations as well as people agreeing to bring things in. The response has been overwhelming. Everyone has been amazing, and I am so proud to be part of an incredible railway family.”
Thameslink on board services manager Mark Smith said: “I’m so proud of what Eloise has done and all those who have made donations; it’s absolutely brilliant.”
It’s not the first time Eloise has done her bit for good causes. In the past, she has organised collections for foodbanks, collected Easter eggs for a children’s charity and staged a Brew Monday for the Samaritans. Now she is planning a second delivery to the hospital.
A Luton and Dunstable Hospital spokeswoman said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our local community – our staff feel valued knowing that their efforts are appreciated. Thank you to the Thameslink colleagues for their very kind donation.”
