National Express Group PLC : Louis is c2c's Community Champion

9 February 2012

Tireless community worker Louis Olusina has been chosen as Community Champion for 2012 by National Express train operator c2c.  Louis, of Barking, is founder of the Charis Project for young people and wins a complimentary annual season ticket for 2012 with c2c.  The train operator will also work with him and the Charis project to raise public awareness of its work and help with fund raising.

The charity supports young people in the boroughs of Barking, Dagenham and Havering through life skills training programmes and mentoring.  It believes every young person has the potential to achieve if they are given the chance and works with them to help them deal with issues such as drugs, crime, teenage pregnancy, alcohol, truancy, poverty and prison.  As well as raising self esteem and self confidence the Charis Project, which will be expanding into Grays this Spring, helps young people improve their health through sport.

Julian Drury, Managing Director for c2c, said: "I am really pleased that Louis is the first winner of our Community Champion award.  Since Louis founded the Charis Project in 2003 it has gone from strength to strength, engaging and supporting local youngsters.  c2c is proud to serve our communities in East London and South Essex, and that's why we're so pleased to recognise and support Louis' passion and contribution."

Louis said: "It is a great honour to be chosen as c2c's Community Champion and it recognises the hard work the Charis Project puts in to reduce crime and anti social behaviour among young people so that our community can be safe."

Nineteen entries were received for the competition which was launched last autumn.  Runner up was Peter Jacobs, of Leigh-on-Sea, who is Assistant Scout Leader with 3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scouts and a Special Police Officer.  Peter won six month's travel with c2c.

c2c is the Metro & Suburban rail operator of 2011 and serves East London and Essex with high quality train services.  It supports the communities in which it operates in many ways from staff contributions and fund raising, to working with organisations to improve transport links and station facilities and providing reliable, punctual and environmentally friendly train services.

The annual Community Champion scheme recognises the good work carried out in the community in which c2c operates, honouring local people and c2c customers who give unselfishly of their time and effort.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

c2c holds the UK record for the highest annual punctuality by a franchised train operator at 96.7% and the record for any 4-week performance period at 98.8%.

c2c has now delivered the leading performance in the UK rail industry for the vast majority of 2011, topping the charts in August, June, May, April, March and February too.

Customer satisfaction with c2c services measured 91% in the latest National Passenger Survey in spring 2011 - the joint highest amongst franchised rail operators in the UK.

c2c won the National Rail Award for the best 'Suburban & Metro Operator 2011' in September 2011.

For further information please contact the c2c Press Office on: 0207 444 1868

About c2c: c2c operate services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness serving 26 stations in South Essex.

About National Express in the UK: National Express includes National Express Coaches, National Express West Midlands, National Express Coventry, National Express Dundee, National Express East Anglia, c2c, Kingsferry, the Midland Metro and Eurolines.

About National Express Group: Around 700m journeys a year are made worldwide on our bus, train, light rail and express coach operations.  We deliver services in the UK, North America and Spain.  Our 40,000 employees are committed to improve the quality of life for all through travel.

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