Recognition for campaign

Students who encouraged older pupils and staff at The Minster School, Southwell, to become blood and bone marrow donors have been nominated for an award.

They are in line for the Nottinghamshire Young People of the Year award.

The group was nominated by their tutor, Mrs Helen Charnley.

She said: “This was their initiative and they have led the way.

“As a result there are now donors who could give blood for many years and possibly bone marrow as well.

“Their actions could be vital in saving lives, whether in an accident or illness.”

As well as encouraging others to give blood and register for bone marrow donation the teenagers have put themselves forward to do the same when they are old enough.

The group is made up of Joe Holmes, Alice Lockhart, and Rosie Puttergill, all 15, Fiona Murray, Rhiannon Rees, and Anna Roechrict, all 13, and George Morel and Charles Motteram, both 12.

They ran a publicity campaign last year that resulted in 30 new donors among older pupils and staff giving blood.

After their success with blood donation the group looked at bone marrow donation.

They organised a recruitment drive in November where 70 sixth-formers and staff registered with the Anthony Nolan Trust, a charity that recruits potential bone marrow donors.

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