A blood biker who died in a crash while volunteering has been honoured with an Elizabeth Emblem.
The award is given to the families of public servants who have died in the line of duty and was presented at Kendal Town Hall in honour of Russell Curwen, 49, a dedicated North-West Blood Bikes volunteer who died in a crash in Lancaster in 2018.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Alexander Scott, presented the emblem to Russell’s father Kenneth Curwen and his family, joined by invited members and close friends.
It marks the second time the Elizabeth Emblem has been awarded in Cumbria.
Russell gave his time freely as a volunteer blood biker, transporting urgent medical supplies between hospitals to support people in critical need.
He lost his life while delivering blood samples from Westmorland General Hospital to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
During the ceremony, the Lord-Lieutenant shared a tribute to Russell and his impact on the community.
Multiple blood bikes have also been named in his honour, and the Blood Sciences Laboratory at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary now bears his name.
His diving community also created a special underwater memorial at Coniston: a stainless steel disc engraved with his photograph, placed beneath the water where divers will see it as they enter and leave the lake.
