A West Hill teenager has been named Donor Champion of the Year by the Anthony Nolan Trust.

George Stafford, of Bendarroch Road, became a bone marrow donor when his two best friends, Harry Symons and Aidan Clarke, were diagnosed with cancer.

The 19-year-old became a donor at the age of 16 after Aidan was saved by a bone marrow transplant – and gave his first bone marrow donation in February.

George was nominated by the trust for his work raising awareness of the charity. He found out he won at a ceremony at the Houses of Commons this week.

George said: “It feels humbling to have been awarded the Donor Champion of the Year award. My best mate, Aidan, is only alive today because a stranger was willing to donate stem cells, so it feels amazing for me to be able to save a life, too. It’s such a special experience; it’s only natural that I’d want to share that story with as many people as possible.”

Henny Braund, chief executive at Anthony Nolan, said the teenager was a deserving winner.