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Highland Line 'friends' lifeline is a year old





Highland Line operator London North Eastern Railway is celebrating the first anniversary of ‘Letter to a Friend’ – a vital lifeline for thousands of older people living in care homes who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Penny Bond pictured by Charlotte Graham
Penny Bond pictured by Charlotte Graham

LNER reserve and volunteer Penny Bond BEM was inspired to act after realising many residents would be cut off from their families and friends as the country was put into lockdown, and she started putting pen to paper.

Now after being joined by colleagues, ‘Letter to a Friend’ has seen 64,000 pieces of post, including letters, puzzles, postcards, tongue twisters and colourings delivered over the past year, lifting spirits for residents at hundreds of homes along the East Coast route.

Penny, who was awarded a British Empire Medal for her achievements said: “The idea came when I watched’ Afterlife’ with Ricky Gervais, as he visited his dad daily in a care home and it was this that got me thinking how it would impact residents and family and friends not being able to do this during lockdown.

“I thought what if I could send in cheerful bits to keep the residents smiling and occupied. The feedback and response have been phenomenal. They love the contact and we’ve gained friends. Once things go back to normal we will hopefully get the chance to meet.”

After LNER launched the LNER Reserves in April 2020, enabling its people to volunteer to help in their local communities, there was soon an army of letter writers sending post from Scotland to London. Many residents still look forward to their special deliveries with almost 20,000 people having received pieces through the post.

All three LNER Reserves: from left, Penny Bond, Istvan Gilecze & Andy Jones Picture: Charlotte Graham
All three LNER Reserves: from left, Penny Bond, Istvan Gilecze & Andy Jones Picture: Charlotte Graham

LNER managing director David Horne said: “We are extremely proud of all our colleagues who have shown dedication and supported the NHS, charities and communities during what has been a very challenging year. Our people, customers and communities are at the heart of what we do and ‘Letter to a Friend’ has made a difference for so many people, keeping them connected and showing that people care.”

In addition to the post, 300 LNER calendars, more than 5,000 books and thousands of DVDs and CDs have been donated and distributed to care homes. The project has also expanded to include positive notes to be incorporated in food parcels and people living alone.

Penny Bond added: “I am so proud of my fellow LNER reserves who work have contributed to making ‘Letter to aFriend’ such a success. We all have the same goal, which is helping others, letting them know they are being thought about, and I couldn’t imagine not delivering every week to them now. It would feel like something was missing.”


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