Blood donors hailed by chiefs

A team of prolific blood donors from Shropshire has been praised by medical chiefs after giving more than 1,000 pints, helping to save thousands of lives. A team of prolific blood donors from Shropshire has been praised by medical chiefs after giving more than 1,000 pints, helping to save thousands of lives. The National Blood Service (NBS) has paid tribute to the 14 "national treasures", who come from all over Shropshire, after they clocked up 1,096 donations between them. Every pint of blood donated can be used to treat up to three patients, meaning the team has helped to save a potential 3,288 patients. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star

Every pint of blood donated can be used to treat up to three patients, meaning the team has helped to save a potential 3,288 patients.

Ernest Clarke, from Trench, Telford, was presented with the NBS diamond award after rolling his sleeves up to give 102 pints of blood.

The others were given emerald gongs for a minimum of 75 pints donated each, including Bridgnorth man Peter Lindsell.

The 60-year-old has 76 donations under his belt and said he enjoyed being able to help other people.

"A company I used to work for would give its employees time off to go and give blood, so that's how I started and the opportunity to go and have a lie down for an hour was too good to miss," he said.

"It is convenient and you do feel as though you are helping people."

Jayne Harman, spokeswoman for NBS, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be able to say thank you to our donors.

"Their support and dedication is inspiring, for not many people accomplish what they have - they are our national treasures.

"It can't have been easy finding the time over the years to give such an incredible number of donations, but these donors have been supporting us and saving lives for several decades.

"We, along with all the patients whose lives they have helped to save and improve, are incredibly grateful."

Both of these donors will now take their place among an elite group of people for less than two per cent of all blood donors in the UK reach such a milestone donation, meaning they are rare finds indeed.

NBS staff hope that the donors' outstanding commitment will inspire others in the region to take that life saving step to give blood.

You may be able to become a donor if you are aged between 17-59, weigh more than 7st 12lb (50kg) and are in good health.