Brave staff from Thames Water’s Swindon office have donated almost seven pints of blood which will be used to save the lives of hospital patients across the country.
Members of Thames Water’s metering team at Walnut Court in Swindon donated blood at an NHS session in the town
The metering team from Walnut Court spent Wednesday afternoon (June 26) at Pinetrees Community Centre in the town, where NHS Blood and Transplant were running a donation session.
The group of seven each took part in a short donation and many were giving blood for the first time.
The donors included Theresa Healy, who recently retired after working for Thames Water for more than 20 years.
The donation was carried out as part of Thames Water’s Time to Give programme, where employees are given two days per year to volunteer or take part in activities for charities and good causes.
Faye O’Donoghue, progressive metering process advisor, said: “We organised the day to do something different for our Time to Give. Half our team ended up coming, a couple weren’t able to donate but still came and took part. They all said they would do it again.”
Metering agent Harry Jones added: “The experience itself was quite daunting but nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be.
“The staff there were very friendly and helpful and made the whole experience quite positive.”
Fellow team member Saxon Sheppard said: “Giving blood was a really good experience. From the moment we got there to the moment we finished it was really quick and easy.”
The donations from the Thames Water team could be used for lifesaving treatments on up to 21 people.
The blood they gave will be sent to be processed at Filton Blood Centre in Bristol, ready to be sent to hospitals in any part of the country.
Nearly 400 new donors are needed every day to meet the needs of patients in England and each donation can save up to three people’s lives.
Senior sister Pam Elton said: “We are very grateful to the Thames Water team for their donation.
“Blood donation saves lives and to supply hospitals we need people to donate through the year.”
NHS Blood and Transplant has 23 permanent donor centres across the country. To register as a blood donor and book an appointment call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
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