ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Train Guard Gives Mum Free Travel To Visit Sick Daughter In Hospital

Train Guard Gives Mum Free Travel To Visit Sick Daughter In Hospital

Faith in the human race: restored

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

There's loads of bad stuff going on in the world at the moment, as usual. So isn't it nice when you find a story that genuinely makes you feel good about human beings as a species? Take this one, for instance.

We know train services get a lot of stick - remember when people resorted to leaving notes on their trains after receiving some frankly poor service service? But one of Northern Rail's conductors really should be commended for this act of incredible kindness to a mum whose baby is sick in hospital.

Rachel Broadway, 41, has to make the 70-mile round trip from Retford, Nottinghamshire, to Sheffield up to five times a week to see her four-month-old daughter Ocean, who is being cared for in a neo-natal ward - at a cost of about £500 per month.

Baby Ocean Grace in hopsital.
MEN Media

Proud mum Rachel gave birth to twins prematurely in December 2018, and while Ocean's brother Odin is living in the family home, she still has to go to Sheffield Teaching Hospital regularly to see her daughter, who is being treated for a rare disease that affects the intestine of premature infants.

The condition, which only occurs in approximately one in every 2,000 to 4,000 births, is called necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), which means tissues in the intestine become inflamed and start to die.

Symptoms include vomiting, problems with feeding, and a swollen, tender abdomen. The baby then needs to be fed through a tube, with medicines and fluids given through a drip.

Ocean and Odin.
MEN Media

Up until recently, the mother of seven was paying for the regular trip, getting her tickets checked by a conductor called Emma.

On one journey, Emma asked why Rachel was making the trip - and upon learning of baby Ocean's condition, the conductor decided she wanted to help.

In an amazing act of kindness, the Northern Rail worker spoke with her manager, who then arranged for Rachel to receive free travel on the train route until Ocean is out of hospital.

Rachel with her four-month-old twins.
MEN Media

In an emotional Facebook post, Rachel said: "I am absolutely pleased with their humanity - so much love from me and thanks to them for their kindness.

"This now means that I can see Ocean every day rather than just the five - it will save a lot of money along the way. It's been such a difficult few months for me and the kids, so this has raised our spirits so much.

"Emma, you are one in a million and I am in tears of gratitude."

MEN Media

After Rachel managed to locate Emma on Facebook, the pair have remained in touch.

Four-month-old Ocean has recently had her third operation and it's hoped she will be allowed home soon.

Dusty in here, isn't it?

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Awesome, Feels, Community