A 19-YEAR-OLD, Hannah Tuck, has become Britain’s youngest railway chaplain, ministering to those affected by railway incidents in Wales and the Marches.

Ms Tuck is now a chaplain for the area covered by Arriva Trains Wales, attached to the Railway Mission, a Christian charity that has worked with railway staff in the UK for more than 136 years.

Railway chaplains work with rail companies’ welfare services, offering support to anyone connected to the UK’s railway.

Ms Tuck did not think that her age should affect anything, she said on Monday. She is “really enjoying” the job, which she started in November. “We provide support for people who work for the railway. We’re a listening ear; so they have someone to talk to when they need a chat.”

The chief executive of the Railway Mission, Liam Johnston, said: “Chaplaincy is not about age but compassion and care for people. Hannah has demonstrated that. Even through her childhood, she has always put others first, and shown the care and love for others that makes her the ideal chaplain.”

Before becoming a chaplain, Ms Tuck volunteered for St John Ambulance in Wales, at the same time as supporting her sister, who has Down’s syndrome, and her mother, who suffers from atrial fibrillation and migraines.

The managing director of Arriva Trains Wales, Tom Joyner, said that he was “delighted” to be working with Ms Tuck. “I’m sure Hannah will provide excellent support to those who need it.”

Ms Tuck said that her job was “primarily listening”. But, “if people want to talk about faith, about religion, we can do that as well.”

When asked why she took on the job, she said: “I prayed that, if the Lord wanted me to do it, then I would get the job.” She said that she wanted “everyone to know me; so I have been travelling all over the place.”