#LforLewis cancer campaign takes to the tracks

A rail worker whose courageous fight with cancer sparked a social media sensation saw his fundraising campaign take to the tracks today.

Surrounded by friends, family and colleagues at Edinburgh Waverley, Lewis Vaughan was cheered as a Virgin Trains service bearing the #LforLewis hashtag pulled into the station, accompanied by a piper.

Passengers across the country have been encouraged to donate £1 to Marie Curie and post a picture of the train as it passes through their station. It follows on from the #LforLewis campaign which has seen hundreds of pictures posted in support of Lewis on social media channels and raised thousands of pounds for charity.

The link to the fundraising page is here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/displaySomeoneSpecialPage.action?pageUrl=Lewisvaughan

The 32-year-old, who worked as Customer Service Assistant in Edinburgh with Virgin Trains, was diagnosed with terminal cancer last April. He said he had been “overwhelmed” by the support that he has been given over the last few weeks.

“I’m absolutely blown away, just overwhelmed by the positive and generous human nature of this,” he said.

“I didn’t plan a fundraising campaign, it was just something to keep myself occupied during my illness. There’s an online concept of taking pictures of yourself every day, in the same place and with the same background for a year. I had planned to take a photograph of myself with a different hat on every day and it just evolved from there. I could have put depressing status updates on Facebook but instead I wanted to put up pictures that would be a pick-me-up for myself and other people in the same situation.

“I’m so thankful for everything that everyone has done.”

Lewis travelled to the station from the Marie Curie hospice in Edinburgh where he is being looked after.

In keeping with the theme of the campaign, Lewis wore a baseball cap that was originally worn by actor Russell Crowe during the filming of Robin Hood but then sold to a friend who was an extra in the film.

Colleagues and passers-by had started posting pictures of the #LforLewis train as it left Inverness at 7.55am and journeyed to London.

When it reached Edinburgh at 11.17am, dozens of rail workers, passengers, friends and family members had gathered to cheer on Lewis.

His father, Jim, said: “I want to pay tribute to my son Lewis and the way he’s battled this disease so bravely and with such humour. I also want to thank his colleagues at Virgin Trains for all the work they’ve done.

“Lewis has been through a tough time since last April and he’s handled it well.

“The response to the campaign has been overwhelming and Lewis has been overwhelmed by the whole thing. It started as a modest fundraising exersize but it’s snowballed and attracted national and even international attention.”

Adrian Bayne, a Virgin Trains driver who works with Lewis, added: “Lewis has united a workforce in his courageous fight with cancer. He has been a good friend and it's been an honour to help him with the Marie Curie fundraising.

“None of this could have been done without the tremendous support from the railway family and the members of the public who have backed the #LforLewis campaign.”

Fiona Bushby, a Community Fundraiser at the Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh, said: “Lewis’ friends and colleagues have come up with a fantastic campaign to raise awareness and funds for Marie Curie and we’re so grateful for their support. We hope everyone will be inspired to donate and share an #LforLewis.”

Emma Vincent, Virgin Trains’ General Manager for Scotland on the east coast route, said: “Lewis’ warmth and sense of humour is famous in Edinburgh and it’s no surprise that the #LforLewis has taken off and inspired so many people to take part. The support has been brilliant and I hope lots more people across the country get involved and support the good work that Marie Curie are doing.”

The service will operate on Virgin Trains’ east coast route for a further month in a bid to raise more money for the work Marie Curie does to support people with terminal cancer and other illnesses.

Lewis’ campaign coincides with The Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign now celebrating its 30^th anniversary which encourages everyone to give a donation in return for a daffodil pin during March. Money raised helps Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families.

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