Reading centre says blood stocks are running low

People were asked to donate blood at Caversham Primary before Christmas.

People in Reading have been helping others by giving blood after stocks ran low following the bad weather in December.

An urgent appeal has being made for donors to come forward and help to replenish blood supplies.

Stocks of one particular blood group, O negative, have fallen below preferred levels and the NHS is appealing to these donors to come forward.

If bad weather hits again, blood stocks could remain low into 2011.

Nicki Jeffries gave blood at Caversham Primary
School in Hemdean Road.

Car accident

She said she was inspired to became a donor after her father was involved in a serious car accident in the 80s, and would not have survived without a blood transfusion.

She also knew people suffering from leukaemia who relied on donors for survival.

"I've been donating blood for about seven years," she said.

"It's important. Without blood, people don't survive," she said.

Aged 17, Joe Smith from Emmer Green is at the minimum age at which you can donate blood.

He gave blood for the first time at the session at Caversham Park School.

"It went well," he said. "My father has given blood 35 times and that gave me the idea to come along.

"In my experience it was less painful than an injection."

To find out more, go to the NHS Blood and Transplant website or call 0300 123 2323.