Childhood friend of inspirational teen Alice Pyne donates stem cells 

READ MORE:  Woman who defrauded Alice Pyne charity avoids jail

Jemima Burrell, 19, from Ulverston, went to primary school with Alice at Chetwynde in Barrow. 

She attended Alice's last bone marrow drive at Ulverston Victoria High School in 2012 and signed up straight away. 

Now Miss Burrell attends university in Glasgow but, despite this, she didn't hesitate when she got the call earlier this year. 

She said: "My stem cells were collected on March 1. I flew down to London on February 29 and then went into hospital the next day - Anthony Nolan paid for everything because they want to make sure the process is feasible for everyone."

Miss Burrell made her donation at the London Clinic in Devonshire Place. 

She said: "Everyone will always remember and benefit from all the amazing things Alice did, like setting up Alice's Escapes and working with Anthony Nolan.

"Donating your stem cells is something which essentially has no adverse effect on you and is relatively easy, yet it gives someone the chance to live."

Teenager Alice Pyne lost her fight against Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013 after many years of campaigning for a rise in stem cell donors.

Her mother, Vicky, is a trustee for Alice's Escapes and has spoken of how proud she is of Miss Burrell. 

She said: "I'm always pleased to hear that another match has been made from Alice's drive to recruit, but when it's someone personally known, it takes it to a different level. 

"In what was a very mixed week, emotionally, Jemima's news reminded me of the good in this world. 

"Her selfless act has given someone their mother, father, daughter, son, brother or sister a second chance at life. There simply isn't anything that can top that. 

"I'm so proud of her and I hope other youngsters realise how easy it is to join a bone marrow register and, potentially, save a life."   

For more information about Anthony Nolan and donating your stem cells click here  

To join the register click here