Give a life-saving gift this Christmas

Around 8, 000 units of blood are needed every day to meet hospital demand and because blood has a short shelf life - 35 days for red cells and just five days for white platelets - they need even more stocks to make up for the delay holidays and bad weather can make to people getting a transplant.

A NHSBT spokesman said: “The arctic conditions across the country last winter presented severe challenges for the blood supply, yet blood donors made heroic efforts to reach donation sessions.

“We are now calling on our regular donors to show warm hearts by helping to save lives and making a date to donate again this Christmas. Just one blood donation can potentially save or improve the lives of three adults or seven babies. Please help us keep stocks healthy over Christmas and give someone the gift of life.”

A number of clinics across the region have been set up this month for people to donate blood:-

Wednesday December 7 - St John Ambulance Hall, Massetts Road, Horley, 1.45pm to 4.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm

Thursday December 8 - Martlets Hall, The Martlets, Burgess Hill, 1.45pm to 4.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm

Thursday December 8 - Assembly Hall, Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, 2pm to 4.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm

Friday December 9 - Crawley Sea Cadets, Longmere Road, West Green, 1.45pm to 4.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm

Friday December 9 - East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4.30pm

Tuesday December 13 - Horsham YMCA Football Club, Gorings Mead, Horsham, 1.45pm to 4.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm

Thursday December 15 - The Donor Centre, Majestics House, Blatchford Road, Horsham, 10am to 1.30pm and 3pm to 6pm and Tuesday December 27, 9.30am to 1.30pm

For more information about blood donations and to find out whether you can donate blood go to www.blood.org.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.