GIVING blood is not everyone's cup of tea but two Cheshire men have been commended after making 150 donations between them.

Ron Wilkinson, of Middlewich Road, Middlewich, and Graham Roughsedge, of Abbey Way, Hartford, were presented with engraved crystal plates to mark their 75th blood donations at a special ceremony at Old Trafford.

Ron, 68, who has been giving blood for 40 years, said: "I am glad to do it and events like this are a great way of advertising the service. I do try to encourage others to do the same."

Ron was recruited to the service through work and he realised how vital blood donations were when his wife Maureen needed a transfusion.

Graham, 66, has been giving blood since he was 18 years old.

His father had a rare blood type and was often called upon to make donations, so Graham decided he would become a volunteer too.

Graham has encouraged his family to become donors too.

His wife has given 12 pints of blood but after being diagnosed with cancer she is no longer able to donate.

However, their son and daughter regularly donate.

He said: "It's just so easy to do. It's no problem at all and it really does help other people, which is far more important than any award."

They were presented with their awards by 22-year-old Sarah Holt from Hale, who has battled with leukaemia since she was 19 and has received a large number of blood transfusions.

Sarah said: "During my treatment I needed so much blood, and I am really grateful to all the donors who made sure it was there for me."

Only six per cent of the UK population eligible to give blood are active donors. Hospitals in the north west need about 1,500 units of blood to deliver lifesaving transfusions every day.

Rachel Roberts, spokesperson for the National Blood Service, said: "We are totally reliant on members of the public not only volunteering to give blood, but also making it a habit for life."

For more information on becoming a donor, call 0845 7711711 or visit www.blood.co.uk.