AROUND 200 people walked 72 miles in 24 hours to highlight the potential impact of cuts to the West Cumberland Hospital.

The campaigning volunteers took it in turns to push Baby West – a resuscitation doll – in a pram relay from Millom to Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital, and then on to Carlisle.

In all weather conditions they walked day and night along the A595 and A66, to be greeted by around 50 people who joined the final leg to the doors of the Cumberland Infirmary.

The Save West Cumberland Hospital group is campaigning against proposals to downgrade maternity services and move consultant-led care, along with the special care baby unit, to Carlisle.

They also fear that their other emergency services are being gradually eroded.

Organiser Lee Butterworth said the walk aimed to highlight the distances involved, particularly for mums in labour who could suddenly experience complications and need to be transferred by ambulance.

He said: “It aimed to raise awareness and encourage public involvement and it has absolutely done that.

“The turnout has been brilliant – we’ve had about 200 involved and the fact so many people travelled to Carlisle for the last leg says it all.

“We’ve had people of all ages and abilities taking part. People really do care.”

Marchers, he said, were spurred on by people sounding their car horns, sharing their photographs on social media and even turning up to meet them with food.

After leaving Millom on Friday at 2pm, the group reached the West Cumberland Hospital at midnight – where they left an empty first aid box to represent the services that could potentially be lost.

Emma Curwen, who pushed Baby West on the final stretch, walked a total of 13 miles.

She said: “I did it because we want this healthcare kept in West Cumbria. We need these services there so why move them here?”