GTR teams up with celebrities to host social media competition where free travel is up for grabs

The UK’s largest rail operator, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), is teaming up with a group of celebrities to host its most exciting social media competition yet, which could see one lucky customer win free travel as part of a bundle of prizes.

Running for its third year, Destination Dash is an interactive race across GTR’s network where social media users are asked to back either ‘Team Southern’, ‘Team Thameslink’ or ‘Team Great Northern’, as employees from each brand go head-to-head competing in challenges which showcase GTR’s vibrant destinations.

To make things more competitive, GTR is partnering with a trio of celebrities who will lead GTR colleagues in their mission to complete thrilling challenges in London, Hertford and Cambridge. The Traitors star, Freddie Fraser, will join Team Thameslink, Gogglebox legend, Mica Ven, will form part of Team Southern and comedian, Fatiha El-Ghorri, will unite with Team Great Northern.

Going live on Sunday, 15 and running until Tuesday, 17 February, the competition will be shown on GTR’s Instagram, TikTok and YouTube channels.

The Traitors star, Freddie Fraser, said: “I'm naturally competitive, so I will love leading Team Thameslink. The challenges will be a fun test of our different skills and how we work together, and it’ll be a great few days competing in Destination Dash."

GTR’s Chief Customer Officer, Louis Rambaud, said: “We’re delighted to once again be showcasing GTR’s brilliant destinations through Destination Dash. With more passengers using social media to explore hidden gems across the country, we’re hoping our competition will provide some travel inspiration, as well as demonstrating the joy of train travel. To be in with a chance of winning our fantastic prizes, all you need to do is back a team. Make sure you keep your eyes on our social media channels so you don’t miss out!”

Comedian and writer, Fatiha El-Ghorri, said: “I’m going to have the best time completing challenges across the railway with Team Great Northern. My teammates will be absolute powerhouses in the tasks, and we will have so much fun."

One lucky winner will win the following prizes:

• A free GTR return for up to four people to each of the following locations: London, Hertford North and Cambridge
• A free The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience game
• A Love Hertford luxury hamper worth around £100
• A Visit Cambridge Gift Card worth £100
• A one-month Stagecoach East Cambridgeshire Plus Megarider worth £140

To enter the competition, customers must go to the Thameslink, Southern, and Great Northern Instagram accounts and watch the ‘meet the team’ videos, which will go live on Sunday, 15 February. Social media users must decide which team they think will win, follow their account and comment #TeamThameslink, #TeamSouthern or #TeamGreatNorthern on the video of the team they think will win.

Passengers must tag a friend they’d share the prizes with by 3pm on Tuesday, 17 February. Once the victorious team is crowned on Thursday, 19 February, one lucky person who backed this team will be declared the winner.

Notes to editors

• The competition will run from 15 February to 17 February. Entries after this date won’t be accepted
• The prizes must be redeemed by 22 May