Sisters donate blood to remember mum on her birthday

The sisters want to make it a tradition that will be passed down their family

Each year, a group of five sisters get together and donate blood in memory of their mother on her birthday.

The sisters, originally from Bulwell in Nottingham, say their mum, Alison Chapman, regularly donated blood before she passed away three years ago aged 65.

One of her daughters, Georgi Goldsbury, said on Monday the tradition had turned a sad and emotional day into a "proud and happy" one.

"Mum donated blood regularly because our blood type, O negative, is really sought after. I was too young to understand that as a kid, but as I've got older, I realise how necessary it is," she said.

Georgi Goldsbury (pictured) has been donating blood since she was 17

Georgi said her mother would be proud to see them donating blood.

She said: "As a kid, I remember mum talking about how important it was all the time. Dad would go with her too."

The 28-year-old has been a blood donor since the age of 17, but said going with her sisters made it "extra special".

"Originally, we thought about just going for a meal to commemorate her, but this is so much better," she added.

"Rather than just mourning her death, we're doing something positive and helping the community too."

Leila Fisher (pictured) and her sisters still go for a meal after donating

Eldest daughter Gemma Fisher said she wanted to pass down the tradition to future generations of her family.

She said: "This year, I've taken my daughter Aidrianne with us to donate blood for the first time.

"Knowing three generations of our family are blood donors is a great feeling.

"Some of our other nieces and nephews want to donate when they are old enough. It's wonderful."

Aidrianne, 19, said the experience had inspired her to donate blood more regularly.

"This was my first time doing it - and it feels good to help people," she said.

"Seeing all of my aunties come together like this made me want to try it.

"Now, I'll try and do it with them every year."

Figures show the NHS is currently looking for more people to donate blood, as the Nottingham Blood Donor Centre has over 2,000 unfilled appointments between now and September.

Jennifer Wright, manager of the centre, said: "It is very moving to hear that Alison's donations have inspired her daughters to give blood.

"Because each donation can help up to three people, each time they donate the sisters are saving or improving 15 lives.

"Right now there is a need for more people with O negative and B negative blood to donate, and for more donors or Black heritage to help sickle cell patients who need ethnically matched blood."