Prolific blood donor urges more to 'help society'

Peter Randle has been donating blood for more than 50 years

A man who has been donating blood for more than half a century is encouraging others to join him.

Peter Randle, 69, from Coventry, started giving blood as an 18-year-old student.

He has O-negative blood, a universal group meaning any patient can have it in an emergency, and has donated 138 times.

The financial adviser, who is helping NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) raise awareness, said: "I realised that it was more important for me to give blood, which is what motivated me to keep giving."

He added: "It's just something you can do to help society, so I would encourage everyone to do it. Particularly if you've got the rarer blood groups like mine, then then you should really try and find the time to do it."

Mr Randle has a condition called haemochromatosis, meaning his blood produces too much iron, which can attach itself to organs if not controlled.

Taking blood is a treatment for the condition, so Mr Randle is allowed to donate every two months rather than the usual three.

"It's a win-win because I can give more often and people will benefit from it.

"So I put my foot on the accelerator then and now go about every eight weeks," he said.

Most prolific

NHSBT has thanked blood, organ and stem cell donors as it celebrated its 20th anniversary.

It was established in October 2005 when the National Blood Authority, UK Transplant and Bio Products Laboratory merged to create one organisation.

Since it began Mr Randle has donated blood 88 times - the highest number of donations in NHSBT's 20-year history.

A further 41 donors have donated more than 80 times.

Dr Gail Miflin, chief medical officer at NHSBT, said it could not have carried out its life-saving work "without the millions of generous blood, organ, plasma, platelet and stem cell donors who have put themselves forward to help those who need it.

"We cannot thank them enough for everything they have done and continue to do."