A five-year-old boy from Ealing is helping to lead Transport for London’s 25th anniversary celebrations today (3 July 2025), after being selected as one of 25 young ‘Superfans’ whose recorded messages will take over announcements at stations across the capital.
Sanchéz King Chiwandire, who is autistic, has loved the Tube since before he could speak – his first word was “train.” He taught himself to read using the London Underground map and is now on a personal mission to visit every station on the network. His ultimate dream is to become a train driver.
Sanchéz’s announcement is being broadcast today at Ealing Broadway station as well as at Covent Garden, one of the capital’s busiest central stops. His message, along with those of the other Superfans, includes a birthday greeting to TfL and that unmistakable reminder to “mind the gap.” The announcements will play hourly between 6am and 8pm.
Nyasha Chiwandire, Sanchéz’s mum, told EALING.NEWS: “Sanchéz is such a unique boy who has autism and sees the world differently and struggles socially and emotionally. He absolutely loves trains and taught himself how to read from memorising all the stations on the underground map. TfL brings him so much joy and he loves exploring the Tubes he has a super brain he can tell you how to get anywhere on the TfL train.”
The Superfans were chosen from more than 300 entries to a competition launched in March, which invited young Londoners to write about their favourite part of the transport system in 100 words. Entries included poems, stories and artwork, many highlighting the importance of public transport in helping children — particularly disabled ones — to feel independent and connected to their city.
TfL’s transport commissioner Andy Lord said: “We were completely bowled over by the response to our Superfans competition and would like to thank each and every child for their inspiring entries.”
Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance called the children’s contributions “outstanding,” adding: “TfL’s Superfans competition is a really fitting way to mark TfL’s 25th anniversary.”
Winners will also enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of stations or depots, a private event at the London Transport Museum, and star in a TfL-wide poster campaign. Special edition TfL25 roundels have been installed at 38 stations to mark the milestone, including at Battersea Power Station and Greenwich Peninsula.
, after being selected as one of 25 young ‘Superfans’ whose recorded messages will take over announcements at stations across the capital.){kind=link}