Kate – 2024

A Penrith woman who set up a suicide prevention charity following the death of her son has been named as Cumbria Woman of the Year 2024 sponsored by Nuclear Waste Services. Judges heard that Kate Bainbridge turned the traumatic tragedy of the death by suicide of her son, Ben, into the co-founding of the charity Every Life Matters.

Kate was driven by one of the most painful losses and was determined to do something to help to support others going through similar situations and to educate and support to assist suicide prevention in the county. Kate’s nominators describe her as someone who is passionate, knowledgeable, dedicated and above all, inspirational – the qualities that have resulted in Kate being named our Cumbria Woman of the Year 2024.

Anna Grost – 2023

Jill Glencross Hind – 2022

A Funeral Director based in Dalston, near Carlisle was chosen as Cumbria Woman of the Year 2022. Judges heard how this incredible, unselfish woman makes a difference to so many people’s lives in both her professional and personal life.

At the height of the pandemic when the number of people dying from Covid-19 started to rise she took to social media to beg people to ‘stay at home’ and ‘follow the covid rules’ because she, along with fellow funeral directors, were being overwhelmed with the demand on their service.  Her long emotional message went viral.  Though it was distressing to see a normally bubbly, chatty, positive lady so upset as she pleaded with people to change their ways – it had impact.  It showed just how coronavirus was affecting even the strongest of people like Jill.

Lynne Thornton – 2019

Lynne Thornton was named as winner of The Cumbria Life Lifetime Achievement Award.  Lynne has worked tirelessly to ensure that autistic children – she is the mother of two – have the best possible education.  Lynne campaigned with tenacity, dedication and humour to raise both awareness and funds; her efforts culminated in the establishment of the Cumbria Academy for Autism, a transformational school built and staffed to provide for children from 4 – 19 years to reach their full potential.  A truly incredible achievement – an amazing lady!

Amy Bray – 2018

Last year’s winner – the youngest ever in Cumbria Women of the Year’s 30 year history – was named as Amy Bray.  Amy’s passion for the planet and fascination with the natural world has impelled her to found Another Way, a conservation charity.  Amy has campaigned energetically on environmental issues, conducted awareness courses educating others, encouraged her school to enter the Back to School Plastic challenge, and advised local business on reducing waste and their carbon footprint. She has received wide support from leading conservationists and opened a zero-waste shop in Penrith also called Another Weigh.  All this began in school where she made “quite an impression”  and expanded into the wider community speedily and with extraordinary success  – unsurprisingly, Amy aims to be a Marine Biologist.  She was 17 years old when she received the award.