Fundraising praise for blood service staff (From Warrington Guardian)

Fundraising praise for blood service staff

KIND-HEARTED National Blood Service staff have been raising money for charity while they work.

Donor carers, Debbie Deakin, Mandy Robbins and a team which collects blood donations in the Northwich area, held Christmas raffles and raised £500 for Cancer Research UK.

The team took time out at a busy blood donor session in Frodsham to present the funds to Cancer Research UK community fundraiser James Struthers.

Debbie explained why they wanted to help.

She said: "We feel strongly as a team that it is important to support charity where we can.

"Many of our donors come to give blood because family or friends have had serious health problems, so we try and support a health charity at Christmas time."

The staff donated hampers of luxury 'pampering' products, as well as lots of other prizes and raffled them at blood donor sessions over the Christmas and New Year period.

Effective

Mr Struthers said: "The funds will be used to support our world class doctors and scientists who are working together to develop new and effective treatments to prevent more people from contracting cancer.

"Our research, funded mainly by donations from the public, delivers medical advances which save thousands of lives."

Helen Whelan, National Blood Service regional collections manager for the north west, said: "We are really proud of our staff.

"They have been working incredibly hard over the festive period, making sure we have enough blood to supply hospital demand and the fact that they have raised money for charity at the same time is just brilliant."

For more information on giving blood call the donor helpline on 0845 7711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk.

jdriscoll@guardiangrp.co.uk