Stratford blood donors honoured for life-saving commitment - The Stratford Observer

Stratford blood donors honoured for life-saving commitment

Stratford Editorial 24th Sep, 2016 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

NOT many people can say they’ve helped to save a life.

But it is claim three dedicated blood doners, who have gone under the needle over 300 times collectively, can make.

Paul Day, Michael Clark and John Smith have potentially saved more than 900 lives between them with their donations.

Paul, who lives in Wilmcote started giving blood more than 40 years ago during his university’s ‘Rag Week’.




Organisers were hoping to collect a ‘tonne’ of blood, so Paul and his friends went along to support it.

The 65-year-old said: “Giving blood is a very pleasant experience, blood is a necessity but I always have a feel-good feeling knowing that I have done something to help others.”


Stratfordian John Smith has been a donor since 1979 when he made the decision to do something different and worthwhile.

Like Paul, his first attempt to give blood was while he was at university but things did not go as smoothly as he thought after he saw a fellow blood-giving student faint.

The atmosphere was tense and despite the initial drama, he went back a few years later and has not stopped since.

The 63-year-old finds listening to music is a helpful distraction when he donates.

And 75-year-old Michael Clark has been donating blood for over 35 years after ‘feeling the need’ to start donating.

The Shipston resident said: “I have known many people who have been helped by blood so I wanted to begin donating blood. I encourage everyone to go for it and give it a try.”

The trio were honoured by NHS Blood and Transplant for their life-saving efforts alongside other donors who have given blood more than 100 times.

They each received commemorative medals at a ceremony at Coombe Abbey in Coventry.

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