Hannah Wilson accepted an award from the National Blood Service on behalf of King Edward College.
The award was given in recognition of all the years that the college has supported the cause and all the pints of blood that have been donated.
Hannah is a Student Support Worker and is responsible for organizing the colleges fundraising and charity events. ‘What a fantastic day!!! This day is always supported so well by our students and staff. I am so proud to be able to give our students the opportunity to give blood and learn about the importance of this.”
The award was presented by Jan and Tony Pinnegar from the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) authority. NHSBT is the organ donor organisation for the UK and is responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. Its remit also includes the provision of a reliable, efficient supply of blood and associated services to the NHS.
Suzanne Walsh, Lead Donor Relations Manager for NHS Blood and Transplant said; “Blood donors are kind and generous individuals who take time out of their busy lives to help others. We need to maintain blood stocks and it’s great that staff and students from King Edward VI College have put so much time and effort into giving blood to help keep the blood flowing through the summer and beyond.”
Nearly 100 students turned up to the college gym to donate blood. Hannah went on to say “Our students are always very willing to take part in anything I organize so I was not surprised at all that we had so many students volunteer day. We as a college will continue to support the NHSBT and I have no fear that the next session will be well supported and attended. ‘
NHSBT collects approximately two million units of blood each year from 1.4 million blood donors. The NHS needs 7,000 voluntary donations of blood daily and almost 4% of the eligible population are active blood donors. Whole blood donors can give blood every 16 weeks, that’s three times per year.
There are four main blood groups – O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common and therefore the most in demand.