Fancy-dress runner Martin Heath and food-delivery champion Emma Hurrell travelled on a train named in their honour as Great Western Railway celebrated their community heroics.
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.”