SUMMER holidays are on the horizon for many people in the Haslemere area, but NHS Blood and Transplant is reminding donors to give blood to help those who need it before jetting off.

Blood is always needed and hospitals in England rely on around 6,000 units a day to treat patients. But blood stocks can come under pressure at this time of year as people get distracted by holidays, sporting events and the warmer weather. The blood donor service particularly needs people with blood groups O negative, B negative, AB negative and A negative- to come forward and people from black and South Asian communities.

NHS Blood and Transplant co-ordinator Michelle Laserna said: “This is the time of year when we need our amazing donors in this area more than ever.

“If you can make and keep an appointment you will be doing an incredibly important thing – helping us to save and improve lives at a time. So it is important to keep your appointment if you can or change it as soon as possible. The cancelled slot can then be reallocated to someone else.

“Please make a date to donate now. Each blood donation you make can save or improve the lives of up to three people and platelet donors can help three adults or 12 children each time they donate.”

New blood and platelet donors are always welcome.

The service needs 200,000 new donors each year to replace those who can no longer donate for reasons such as ill health, pregnancy or foreign travel, and to ensure we have the right mix of blood groups to match patient needs in the future. You can make an appointment to donate by calling 0300 123 2323 or visit www.blood.co.uk – there is also an NHSGiveBlood app for mobile phones and tablets.