A Great Western Hospital healthcare worker has been recognised for her outstanding work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Liz Gallagher from Swindon, a nurse with more than 40 years of experience, delayed her retirement to stay on as ward manager of the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.

Ms Gallagher was 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.

By delaying her retirement, Mrs Gallagher was able to help the second unit cope with Covid-19 patients as well as assist the role out of the vaccine at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.

Also joining was Naomi Betts from Salisbury who was selected due to her community mask tree which raised £3,200 for the Hope for Hasti charity and delivered almost 4,000 reusable face coverings during the first lockdown in 2020.

Now Ms Gallagher and Ms Betts will now feature at either end of Intercity Express Train Class 800, number 800035 as GWR continues to honour BBC Make a Difference Superstars from nine regions across the network.

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South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland said: ““We all know that our NHS has gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic, but no-one more so than Liz, who delayed her retirement to stay working on the very frontline at the Great Western Hospital.

“She is a true hero and it is absolutely fitting that GWR and BBC Wiltshire have recognised her in this way.”

Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “Liz and Naomi went to incredible lengths to support their communities and we’re thrilled to add their names on to the side of an Intercity Express Train.

“The GWR has a long and proud history of naming trains after Great Westerners – past and present heroes from across our network – and it’s a real treat to add these two community stalwarts to that list.

“It was a privilege to partner with the BBC Make a Difference campaign and the stories which featured on BBC local radio were truly overwhelming.”

When asked to comment, a spokesperson for Great Western Hospital, said: “We are so pleased that Liz has been recognised for her incredible commitment to nursing over her 40 years in the profession.

“In April 2020, she was due to retire but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to postpone her retirement to help lead her team on the Intensive Care Unit through it.

"Liz also supported the team to set up a second ICU during the peak of the pandemic, so that every patient who needed intensive care could receive it.

“It was because of her amazing effort that Liz was recognised two years ago as one of the BBC’s Make a Difference Superstars, and it’s great to see that she has today been given the opportunity to see her name in print on one of the GWR high-speed trains.

“Liz has since retired but remains part-time at our hospital and we are so proud of everything she has achieved.

"She really does encapsulate everything that the GWH family stands for.”