A leukaemia patient has received a ‘life-saving’ stem cell transplant after NHS staff battled through the Beast from the East to get to St George’s Hospital.

Biomedical scientists Geoff White and Sue Barnett, with NHS blood and transplant, drove three hours from Southampton – where the stem cells were processed – before arriving at the hospital on March 2.

Snow and ice caused major disruption across the country for days, particularly on train services with many warning commuters to get home early.

Ms Barnett said: “A colleague of ours just had a birthday so there was lots of cake in the office. We made sure we took plenty of that and hot drinks to get us through the journey.

“When we got to St George’s we handed over the stem cells to the transplant nurse who was surprised to see us. The patient was at the hospital having had their last round of chemo ready for the transplant, so it was imperative that the stem cells got there.”

The procedure was a success and both scientists got back to Southampton after their ‘heroic’ journey through the dangerous weather conditions.

Michael Mayhew, a stem cell transplant nurse at St George’s, said: “Geoff and Sue truly went the extra mile for our patients by hand delivering the stem cells last week during the bad weather spell.

“We really appreciate their support and willingness to get them here when other transport couldn’t. Thank you so much!”