THE NUMBER of young people donating blood in Gloucestershire is lower than the national average as concerns rise that we may not have enough donated blood in coming years.

In Gloucestershire there are 3,133 donors aged between 17 – 24 , 11.8 per cent of those who currently donate blood in the county.

Across England and North Wales, the same age group currently account for 14 per cent of donors.

NHS Blood and Transplant released the figures in a bid to spark a wave of more generous donors at the start of National Blood Week.

Young donors are crucial to ensuring there is a robust donor base for the years to come and to protect the future supply of blood

Each year 200,000 new donors are required to attend a donation session to replace those who can no longer donate for health or other reasons.

Assistant director for donor services and marketing at NHS Blood and Transplant, Jon Latham, said: “We’re issuing a ‘call up’ for more to come forward because we know blood donation falls off the to-do list during hot weather and summer holidays, and big public events like the World Cup.

“We want potential donors to know they can do something amazing for their country just as the England team will hopefully do in Brazil!

“Make a date to donate and please keep your appointment to help us maintain and ensure stock levels for the coming months and for the future.”

For more information, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.