WIRRAL residents are being urged to make a date to donate to ensure life-saving supplies are maintained over the spring and summer months.

NHS Blood and Transplant is hoping people will save a life by giving blood, with a number of donor sessions taking place across Wirral throughout May.

While the organisation has many volunteers, numbers are running a little lower than normal for the sessions and so staff have put out a call for more.

Bev Caldwell, session marketing co-ordinator, said: "Blood is something we all expect to be there for us when we need it, yet only 4% of us give blood - many people would not be alive today if it wasn't for the generosity of our donors.

"Every day 6,000 units of blood are needed by hospitals."

Every blood donation is vital, but NHS Blood and Transplant particularly needs to ensure supplies of the universal blood group O Rh Negative which is often in short supply as demand is so great.

They also need to ensure supplies of the rarer blood groups A Rh Negative, B Rh Negative and AB Rh Negative as these are also vulnerable to shortfall.

In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 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.

Male donors can give blood every 12 weeks. That's approximately every three months or four times in a 12 month period. Female donors can give every 16 weeks or approximately every four months.

Appointments are available:

  • Thursday, May 7: Village Hotel, Bromborough.
  • Wednesday, May 20: TA Centre, Prenton.
  • Friday, May 22: Civic Centre, Bebington.
  • Tuesday, May 26: Leasowe Castle Hotel, Moreton.
  • Friday, May 29: Harrison Hall, Wallasey Village.

To find out more about times or venues visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to make an appointment. New and returning donors are welcome.