Friend of Chapel en le Frith station, and TransPennine Express train driver, Don Coffey has been awarded the Richard Hope Award in recognition of his exceptional personal contribution to the UK rail sector.

Don has raised over £55,000 for charities including Samaritans, Macmillian Cancer Support, The Red Cross, The Proud Trust, Martin House Children’s Hospice and the Cash for Kids’ Christmas appeal.

Samaritans has particular personal significance for Don after a life-changing experience he encountered whilst working on the railway. Alongside British Transport Police he helped a young woman who was contemplating taking her own life. Samaritans included the story of this experience in their Small Talk Saves Lives event which took place in London earlier this month.  An exhibition, The Power of Words, accompanies the Small Talk Saves Lives event with campaign storytellers sharing the message that when it comes to saving a life, your words are a life-saving kit. You can find out more about the exhibition here.

In 2017 Don started his Youtube channel, @doncoffey5820, sharing videos filmed from the cab of the trains. Over the past 8 years, his Youtube channel has grown to over 52,000 subscribers with his most popular video, ‘St Pancras to Derby – 125 mph!’, gaining over 700,000 views. 

As his Youtube channel grew, so did the income it generated. All proceeds from Don’s channel are donated to causes close to Don’s heart. What started as a modest £270 in donations quickly grew and much of the money Don has raised for charity has come from his Youtube channel.

A huge congratulations to Don for this amazing achievement.