Twelve players from Wheatley RUFC took time out to save lives by donating blood at the John Radcliffe Donor Centre. Flanker Dan Bland, 24, from Crawley, also the team social secretary, organised the visit.
Dan said: “Having the ability to help those in need is a great honour and this is why I give blood. “One blood donation can change up to three peoples’ lives forever. This is such an amazing feeling that I relish every donation and urge people to experience this.” Club captain, Simon Chadbone, 39, donated for the first time and said: “We all have friends or family that at some point in their lives have needed a blood donation and now having donated it has made me aware of how important it is to give blood – I wish I’d donated sooner.”

NHS Blood and Transplant needs around 200,000 new donors every year to maintain the supply for life-saving blood donations. Blood is used to treat critically ill patients, whether they have had cancer or other blood disorders, been in an accident, having surgery or after childbirth.

The NHS are in need new young donors, like the rugby players, because more of our donors are aged over 45. “We hope that people will be inspired to donate with the knowledge that their donations save lives.” In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh more than 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating. The Joh Radcliffe Donor Centre is on the level 2 of the main hospital .

The players all registered for a second appointment in 3 months with an additional 15 players and coaches all donating in June.

To register as a new donor or book an appointment to donate go online at https://www.blood.co.uk/ or call 0300 123 23 23. Search ‘NHSGiveBlood’ in the app store to find and book sessions.

The NHS urgently require blood types B- and O- so be a hero and Give Blood