Margaret Gunning, from Bushey, has been giving blood since 1956, as well as over several hundred platelet donations to the National Blood Service. Now, at the age of seventy one, she was recently invited to the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace for her commitment to saving lives.

We should do the same. It still stuns me that, with the amount of blood needed every day by the NHS, I do not see more people down at the Oundle Drill Hall donating blood.

Currently only four percent of the population are active blood donors, this statistic ought to be a lot higher considering anyone from the age of seventeen to seventy can give blood. It is very easy to sign up.

Once you have given blood for the first time, the National Blood Service will send you a letter stating the times and dates of visits to your local blood donation area. You will also be sent a card stating your blood type.

The NHSBT (the NHS Blood and Transplant) says, “Don’t wait to donate-and bring your mate”. This is because hospitals need seven thousand blood donations a day. Blood donations severely dip around the summer months as people are so busy. However, this year, the NHSBT are expecting an even greater decline in blood donations because of Swine Flu. It is vitally important to give blood before Swine Flu becomes more wide-spread, as those with the virus cannot donate.

Signs at the Drill Hall stated that the NHS would run out of blood in seven days if people did not give blood. Despite this urgency, the mood is calm and a little smug, with everyone in the room very aware of all the good they are doing. Donating blood is the perfect way for people to actively contribute to a charity without going on a charity run. There is even plenty of food available after your donation to keep blood sugar up, which is important.

Members of the Oundle community can look up details on the National Blood Service website, www.blood.co.uk and make an appointment to give blood.