MORE than 1,000 people from Worcestershire have rolled up their sleeves to boost blood stocks and save lives.

People in the county have done their bit to help make up a shortfall in new blood donors by recruiting 100,000 new donors in 100 days nationally, hitting the target two weeks early.

People came forward in their thousands to support the campaign run by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) which was launched following a dramatic decline in the number of younger donors signing up last year.

A total of 1,372 people from Worcestershire showed their heart in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, joining the 119,907 who signed up across England and North Wales. The new sign-ups will help to ensure future blood stocks are protected.

Jon Latham, assistant director for marketing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported the 100,000 new donors in 100 days campaign. It is fantastic that we exceeded the target and people signed up with such enthusiasm and hopefully any new registrants who haven’t got around to donating will do so soon.”

Young people are considered vital to the blood service, with 17 to 24-year-olds accounting for about 40 per cent of new donors each year. Anyone aged between 17 and 65, weighing more than seven stone 12lbs (50kg) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor.

There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

To find out if you are eligible to become a blood donor and make a date to donate, visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 1232323.