WIREDGOV

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls has today announced £165,000 extra funding to enable the Anthony Nolan Trust to roll out their campaign to educate young people about bone marrow donation.

The Register & Be a Lifesaver campaign is the legacy of Yorkshire journalist Adrian Sudbury. Adrian died in August 2008 at the age of 27 following his own battle with leukaemia.

The Register & Be a Lifesaver campaign was first trialled in South Yorkshire and Bristol to encourage 16-18 year olds to sign up to become donors and to build a volunteer force to help educate their peers.

Independent evaluation of the pilots concluded that they were good value for money; the training of volunteers was successful; the standard of presentations to schools and colleges was high; and the pilots met their objectives to raise awareness in schools and with young people.

Ed Balls said:

“Adrian Sudbury was an incredibly brave young man and a great campaigner who wanted to make a difference, even during the toughest times of his own battle with leukaemia.

“We are indebted to the many people in this country who already donate, or who have joined the donor registers to improve the quality of life of others. I think it’s essential that young people understand the importance of donation. That’s why I’m really pleased that Adrian’s legacy can continue with £165,000 extra government funding to enable the Register & Be a Lifesaver campaign to be extended nationwide.

“I’ve been very impressed by the two pilots run in South Yorkshire and Bristol. The volunteers and young people there have worked hard to prove that Adrian’s vision can work. I hope that today’s funding will help the Anthony Nolan Trust and ‘Adrian’s army’ to spread that vision across the country.”

Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'

1 Today’s announcement was made at a Parliamentary reception attended by Adrian Sudbury's parents Keith and Kay.

2 Today’s announcement of £165,000 will be made in two payments: £50,000 this year and £115,000 next year. This follows earlier government investment of £40,000.

3 The South Yorkshire and Bristol pilots were delivered through a series of seminars and presentations in sixth forms and further education colleges. A team of trained volunteers carried out the presentations from March until July 2009.

4 Evaluation of the pilots showed:
a. 65 people completed the volunteer training - 93% felt confident to go ahead and deliver talks to schools.
b. 120 presentations were made in 95 schools and colleges to 5,250 students.
c. 88% of schools in Bristol and South Yorkshire took up the opportunity to be part of the pilot.
d. 100% of schools involved requested additional help or information.

5 For more information about the Register & Be a Lifesaver campaign please contact the Anthony Nolan Trust: http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk/about/

Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk