Inspirational lifesaver Adrian wins Prime Minister’s honour

Adrian Craig, a medical student at Keele University, has become a potential lifesaver by setting up and supporting seven new bone marrow groups, encouraging over 1,200 students to sign up to the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register.

Anthony Nolan figures suggest that one in 100 of these people are likely to go on to make a potentially lifesaving bone marrow donation.

Adrian is the 90th recipient of a UK Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable volunteering achievements.

Adrian has now been the Expansion Coordinator for Marrow, the student arm of Anthony Nolan, for two years and in this time Keele University has become one of the most successful university recruitment groups in the country with 240 students signed on to the bone marrow register.

Praising him, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Adrian’s success in encouraging people to sign onto the bone marrow register is testament to his hard work and dedication to Anthony Nolan. Bone marrow donations can save lives, and I’m delighted to recognise Adrian’s outstanding service by making him a Point of Light.”

The new UK Point of Light award has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA, by former President George W Bush.

A thrilled Adrian said:“I have been involved in volunteering for a long time now ever since school so it’s just part of daily life for me.

“I got involved with Marrow as I had joined the register before starting university and came across Marrow one afternoon and thought it would be great to get involved in and I haven’t looked back.

“Volunteering is important to me as it’s something simple everyone can do that goes a long way. When I was told I was receiving this award I was really shocked, you don’t expect it and I’m still a little speechless now. All I can say is thank you.”

In America over 5000 Points of Light have been recognised and both President George H. W. Bush and President Barack Obama have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK which honours shining examples of volunteering across the country. If people want to nominate a Point of Light they can do so by writing to the Prime Minister