Nottingham Express Transit 204 has a new name with a Nottinghamshire family known for adding Christmas sparkle in the name of local charity for over two decades recognised. The tram is the designates NET Community Hero tram and for the next 12 months will now carry the name Tony & Wendy Swift.
Best known for transforming their home into the annual Nuthall Christmas Lights display, Tony and Wendy have raised more than £300,000 for Nottingham-founded children’s charity, Wish Upon a Star, and Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust’s special palliative care unit, Hayward House. This cause is particularly close to Wendy’s heart as it where her father, John Sheeran, received treatment after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
After 22 years they turned out their festive lights for the final time in 2025. Nominations referred to Tony and Wendy as superstars who were deserving of the honour as “a tribute to their dedication and hard work” with many noting they wished to mark the end of their festive fundraising legacy.
Tony Swift said: “Wendy and I would like to thank the people who put us forward for this lovely award as it really means a lot. Another thanks should also go to all of the people who have helped us over the last 22 years to make this event possible, especially my sons Adam and Daniel, and my neighbours Mark and Jayne who have given us support every year since they moved in.”
Alison Sweeney, Head of Marketing at NET, said: “Our community hero initiative places a spotlight on the everyday people that truly make a difference to the city, and this year’s nominations continued to showcase the abundance of fantastic and meaningful efforts made by people in Nottingham every single day.
“We’ve always been proud of using the names on the side of our trams to recognise the contributions of local people and, alongside our fleet of celebrity names, our rotating ‘community hero’ tram is a really special addition. As a public transport operator that connects friends, families and local communities, recognising these people’s achievements is something we are incredibly proud of, and we couldn’t do it without the general public, who help to bring so many of these wonderful stories to light.”
The decision on naming the tram came after public nominations with a shortlist then put to a panel of judges. The judging panel comprised Eve Smallman, editor of the Notts Edit, Oliver-James Campbell, founder of Notts Happening, David Russhard, principal lecturer in civil engineering at Nottingham Trent University, Donna Harrison, commercial coordinator at University of Nottingham Students Union, and Andy Downie, Head of Operations and Safety at NET.
Other names featured in the shortlist included Kerry Warwick, for her commitment to Sneinton and homeless community, and Anna MacArthur, founder of the Fun Chorus Choir.
204 was previously named Dr Marcellus Baz BEM / Switch Up after the 2025 Community Heroes.