The RailStaff Awards 2024

James Beckingham

Said the following about Danielle Johnson:

“Marianna devotes a great deal of her time to making people’s lives better both inside work and outside.

Marianna's day job is driver line manager, but she has fought hard this year to improve facilities at the Southern Metro South depots.

She was instrumental in the introduction of defibrillators being installed in at Selhurst and Norwood booking on points, which have been applauded by both management, train crew and unions alike.

She also devoted a great deal of her own personal time to training depot staff (and anybody else who was interested) in the use of the defibrillator and resuscitation techniques.

She is a volunteer mental health first-aider and shows a great deal of time and compassion to train crew and staff around the depots who need extra support, again, often staying much later or coming in earlier than required to ensure items are followed up and staff feel supported.

It is hard to give examples here without identifying individuals or situations in this regard but she has been the key support for several very serious events regarding mental health in the depots.

In her own time, she is a 'Community first responder' in her local area (which also is an area Southern serves and several stations fall into her remit in this role too). This involves her donating more of her own time to the local community to assist the local ambulance and paramedic staff. In recent months, she has saved several lives in the community by being the first on scene.

She cares deeply about the well-being of all the people she encounters and cannot give enough time, support and devotion to those in her world both at work and outside.

Southern is a fortunate company and the metro depots are all the more lucky for having Marianna around.“

Gary Stone

Said the following about Danielle Johnson:

“I would like to nominate Marianna for charitable person of the year as she has been instrumental in the placement of defibrillators at Selhurst and Norwood train care depots. Not only that but she has also provided support and training on the use of them to whoever has needed it.

Not too long ago Selhurst Depot was unfortunate to lose a well-loved colleague to a heart attack whilst at the depot and since then Marianna has championed the idea of placing defibrillators at Southern depots which shows you just how much it meant to her.

Outside of work, Marianna provides support for the London Ambulance Service as a community first responder and does so as a volunteer which again shows how passionate she is.

Marianna is one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with and I would like you to accept my nomination on behalf of Selhurst Depot.“

Marcus Gilbert

Said the following about Danielle Johnson:

“Marianna is the heart of our office. She always finds time to listen and help anyone who needs it and is the mental health champion - a role she chose to do herself. When talking to her you get the feeling you have her full attention and she genuinely cares about everyone in our office. Our office is genuinely better when she's present. I've never seen her have a cross word to say about anyone and she thoroughly deserves this award.“

Steve Bonser

Said the following about Danielle Johnson:

“Marianna truly deserves this award with all the help and advice she gives in her own time and truly cares about everyone she has contact with. Marianna also has briefed us as a team on how to use defibrillators and CPR which I can honestly say if I am ever to be in the situation I would know and be confident to help.“

Wayne Marchant

Said the following about Danielle Johnson:

“I have chosen to nominate Marianna because her dedication to her role as a Driver Manager and to her charitable interests is remarkable.

Alongside her job role in which she dedicates herself to supporting trainee Drivers, she somehow manages to devote incredible amounts of time and devotion to being a Community First Responder for London Ambulance Service, being a Mental Health First Aider and training people at Selhurst Depot (in her own time) in the use of defibrillators that she had secured.

She is an inspirational manager who has a massive heart.“

Chris Lamb

Said the following about Danielle Johnson:

“As a new member to the team, Marianne has been a warm and welcoming individual. She has made me feel included in the team which has assisted with my ongoing development.

Marianne trained us on basic first aid which was very informative and has given me confidence in this skill.“

Stephen Chichester

Said the following about Danielle Johnson:

“Marianna is one of the most generous person I know. She is has a heart of gold and devotes a lot of her time to ensuring our welfare on a daily basis.

She has been inspirational in many things at Selhurst to better the conditions.

Her kindness and hard work goes a lot further than just the work environment as she is a first responder for the NHS in her spare time.

Even if she doesn't win the award through the rail awards she is a winner to all of us who know and work with her.“

Rehana Momtaz Ali

Said the following about Danielle Johnson:

“Marianna is a very hard worker and she always gives more. She's very popular in the office and she really looks after everyone, including all the Drivers and Managers. She makes breakfast for everyone in the office some days and everyone in the office love her. A real star. Marianna definitely deserves to win.“