LONDON May 7: Southeastern today announces the launch of a new #Thankyou campaign – giving the public the chance to send personalised messages of thanks directly to those on the Coronavirus frontline as they commute to work.
From today the public can tweet @SE_Railway to say #Thankyou to NHS staff and other key workers.
These tweets will be collated and then displayed on platform departure boards in London and 173 stations across Kent and East Sussex on Thursday 14th May 2020. They will also be posted on Southeastern’s own Twitter feed throughout the day.
People will have the chance to name a specific Southeastern service their partner or loved one is taking on May 14, so their message is on the corresponding departure board as they board the train.
People can tweet in their message from Thursday 7th May 09:00am to Wednesday 13th May 23:59pm.
Southeastern is running 1,331 services every day during lockdown, to ensure key workers are able to get to and from work safely.
David Statham, Southeastern Managing Director, said: “Throughout this difficult time it has been incredibly important to us as a company to find ways to show thanks and give back to the NHS workers and carers.
“With the majority of the country having been in lockdown at home for the past six weeks, we saw the opportunity to use our connection to the key workers to enable the public to share the messages they want to express.
“Whether we know them personally or not, we all want to be able to say a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ for all the NHS workers have done to keep us safe. And I am incredibly proud that we at Southeastern are able to provide the public with that opportunity.”
Southeastern’s social media team will select hundreds of messages to be posted or displayed on May 14. Some 175 stations will take part in total, including Charing Cross in London and stations across Kent and East Sussex, such as Canterbury East, Tunbridge Wells, Ebbsfleet International and Sevenoaks.
The new campaign comes two weeks after Southeastern launched a ‘Toot for Carers’ where drivers used the horns on 23 trains to ‘toot’ NHS in Morse code to coincide with the 8pm Clap for Carers.
Cameron Butler, a Southeastern train driver: “While my job itself hasn’t changed drastically during the lockdown, you can see the massive impact of the current situation all around. So it’s great to know that as a company we’re trying to say Thank You to all those going above and beyond.
“My job is one I love doing, and always have, but now I feel great pride knowing I am transporting our key workers who are doing such an incredible job. I’m proud to do my bit.”
Adam Downing, Station Supervisor at Ramsgate Station, added: “Right now we have a crucial responsibility of providing a lifeblood service to the frontline workers – ensuring the NHS can get where they need to be. It’s a great feeling knowing I am doing my bit to make that happen and hopefully we can help the public show their appreciation as well.”
