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Explorer Scouts are 'life savers'
14/12/2009
Christmas is a time for giving and a group of Scouts from Carlisle have taken that concept to a new level by donating their own blood.
The National Blood Service requires extra donors over the winter period to keep stocks at a healthy level and so ten members of the Ayers Explorer Scout Unit stepped forward.
The Unit prides itself on performing activities to the extreme so this seemed a natural step. Scout Leader and regular blood donor Eddie Ward came up with the idea and was delighted that all the older members he asked to join him were happy to answer the call. ‘Our members are used to helping others, be it at events or raising money for charity, but helping to save lives is surely the best anyone can do,’ he said.
Relaxing
All attendees were pleasantly surprised to discover that giving blood doesn’t hurt. Explorer Scout Andy Thompson even went as far as to describe it as ‘very relaxing’. Fellow Explorer Scout Elly White said she ‘hadn’t realised that you could start giving blood at 17’. Both expressed hope that their gesture would encourage friends and other people of similar age to do the same.
And this appears to be happening already. As news of the event and the media coverage it generated reached Facebook and Twitter, friends of theirs also made appointments to donate.
Life savers
‘Only four per cent of people who can give blood actually do,’ explained Andy. ‘I’d really encourage everyone who can to have a go.’
Pam Prescott of the National Blood Service was in no doubt as to how important the activity had been. ‘These young people really are life savers and should be very proud of themselves.’
Pam went on to describe how hospitals in the North-West need over 5,000 units of blood every week for a variety of situations including fighting serious disease and treating accident victims. ‘We are really pleased that the Explorer Scouts decided to come down to donate,’ she continued.
Further information
If you would like to become a donor and are aged between 17 and 65, generally in good health and weigh more than 7st 12lbs, call 0300 123 23 23 now to register or visit www.blood.co.uk
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