CUMBRIA WOMAN OF
THE YEAR 2023 WINNER

Anna Gorst

We’re delighted to announce Amentum sponsored Cumbria Woman of the Year 2023 is Anna Gorst from Arnside – awarded for her inspirational work with the Ukrainian Community.
When Ukraine was invaded by Russia Anna decided something needed to be done to help those caught up in the conflict. Like the rest of us she watched from afar wondering how much one Cumbrian woman could do on her own. Anna knew she might need a little help so she appealed on social media and her neighbours and friends stepped forward to help her to achieve her challenge of finding a safe place in her community for those fleeing their homes in Ukraine to live.
Caring Anna has since matched Ukrainians with locals, overseen dozens of visa applications and helped to fundraise to bring refugees to the county.
Her village of Arnside became known as the ‘kindest’ in the UK by welcoming those in need. The village has featured on national TV and in national newspapers too.
Anna is a force of nature. She had an idea which grew into a national news story. What she has achieved in the past 18 months is incredible and has made an immense difference to so many lives which is why Anna has been chosen as our Cumbria Woman Of The Year 2023.