On Sunday, 4th July 2010, Metro hosted a very special birthday treat for Aiden Scott, an 11 year-old local boy with severe Autism. Aiden has always loved trains, particularly Metro, so on Sunday, Metro staff ensured he had a magical day as he was taken on a VIP tour of Metro’s Gosforth depot.
Aiden of Prospect Avenue, Wallsend attends Beacon Hill school and is unable to speak. He communicates using pictures. He is a regular traveller on the Metro line and really enjoys everything from looking out of the window to the design of the Metrocars, he even watches video clips of Metrocars on Youtube!
“Aiden just loves Metro and we were thrilled that he was allowed to have this special treat on his birthday. His Nana used to live near a Metro line and he would look out of the window and watch them arrive and leave from Wallsend Metro station. Often he encourages us to drive near the depot so he can see the Metrocars parked up. He will have great memories of his birthday this year and we are going to produce a photo album to help him remember what a great time he had” said Aiden’s Auntie, Donna Martin.
Accompanied by his Auntie, Donna Martin, they were both greeted by Steve Rowell (Engineering Director), Jack Liddle (Fleet Shift Supervisor) and Eric Stephenson (Depotman) to make sure Aiden’s day was memorable. He was able to explore the depot, the lifting shop, see Metrocars close up, sit in the driver’s seat and operate the warning horn and wiper system in the cab as well taking the train through the car wash so Aiden could see what happens.
“We know Aiden very well, and he is a very popular customer with our staff. It was an absolute pleasure to put on this special treat for his birthday and we hope he continues to enjoy his Metro experience for many years to come!” says Richard McClean, Managing Director of DB Regio Tyne and Wear, which operates Metro trains and stations for Nexus.