Ten new faces at blood donation day

A total of 135 donors made their way to the First Presbyterian Church on Inver Road on Wednesday, February 8 as the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) rolled into town.

Ten of those who gave blood were first time donors.

The local figure is up significantly from the previous session in December, when 106 people braved the wintry conditions.

Larne has one of the highest rates of blood donation in the Province, and the NIBTS is keen to ensure that trend continues as it struggles to maintain stocks to provide for those in need.

In a normal week, around 500 people in Northern Ireland need a blood transfusion. However, only a small percentage of the population actually donates blood.

Those of you who may have missed the recent blood donation session in Larne and want to donate can do so at the NIBTS headquarters, located beside Belfast City Hospital. No appointment is necessary.

Anyone between the age of 17 and 65 can give blood for the first time and can continue to donate three times a year to the age of 70.

For more information about giving blood, visit www.nibts.org