The family of an RAF nurse diagnosed with terminal cancer say they have been “touched” after Scotland’s national rail operator offered them free travel for part of their journey to continue visiting her at home.
Helen Crawford was given the devastating diagnosis of incurable secondary breast cancer for the third time in December.
Sister Emma Smith and parents Lorraine and Kenny have made frequent trips to the 39-year-old, based in Lincolnshire, as part of a near-600 mile round trip.
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The family told the Daily Record they had shelled out more than £600 on tickets over the past few months.
However, ScotRail has now stepped in to offer them complimentary travel between their home in Girvan and Edinburgh to write off some of the cost.
Helen said: "The kindness has been overwhelming.
"This takes a little bit of the pressure off and helps overcome the difficulty the distance between us presents."
Emma added: "One of Helen's friends who is helping us with fundraising for a clinical trial put a general message on Facebook asking if anyone worked with any of the rail companies.
"It just so happened that someone else from Girvan messaged her to say he did and to leave it with him.
"I didn't know anything about it until she messaged me saying ScotRail might be in touch and they might offer free tickets.
"I would never have approached ScotRail as I would have never thought it was something they could do."
The family have at least one person with Helen at all times so she has support on hand so Emma often travels at different times to her parents.
Although overwhelmed at the kind gesture, they still still need to fork out over £100 to pay for the LNER train from Edinburgh to Grantham.
Emma said: "It is as fantastic gesture and it certainly takes a bit of pressure off.
"It just shows what people are trying to do and the kindness that is out there.
"If LNER could also help that would be great."
James Ledgerwood, ScotRail Head of Economic Development and Communities, said: “The railway is more than just running trains; we work closely with the communities we serve and always look at how we can provide them with our support.
“Providing Emma with ScotRail tickets is a small gesture which we hope will help her family during this difficult time.”
A spokesperson for LNER welcomed the family to get in touch.
