Blood donors in Tooting and across the UK are being asked to help boost blood stocks by giving blood at donor centres in towns and cities as severe weather grips the country.

Existing donors of all blood groups are urged to check Met Office advice before venturing out as weather conditions are changeable across the country. If conditions are safe they are being asked to give blood at donor centres. Please follow the advice of local agencies and do not travel if it is not safe.

The need for blood is constant. Because of recent freezing weather and snow, many people have not been able to donate. The bad weather has also led to some sessions being cancelled. This has meant they have not been able to collect as much blood as planned. Hospitals need 6000 units every day across England to treat patients in need.

Centres are also asking A+ and A- platelet donors who have booked appointments to do all they can to keep them if safe and possible to do so. Platelets only have a shelf life of 5 days so it’s vital that stocks are replenished on a daily basis across the country to meet the demand from hospitals. Any platelet donors who don’t have an appointment are being urged to attend a fixed site donor centre and give as soon as they are able.

We are asking donors to walk in to donate, without the need to make an appointment in fixed site donor centres. Fixed blood donor centres are more likely to be open weekends and are mostly situated in city centres so easier for people to get to. NHS Blood and Transplant has 23 donor centres across England. A full list of static donor centres can be found at https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/about-our-donation-venues. Donors should check latest information, which is being updated regularly at www.blood.co.uk, before they travel.

Donors who are not near a fixed site donor centre are being asked to book an appointment at www.blood.co.uk.

All donors are welcome, but centres are particularly appealing to those who have donated before as their blood group is already known. They can therefore make sure they collect enough of each blood group to ensure stocks pick up. It will take time to recover stocks so donors who cannot travel are urged to make an appointment over the next two weeks at www.blood.co.uk.

Mike Stredder, NHS Blood and Transplant Director of Blood Donation said: “The recent poor weather caused the cancellation of sessions in snow-hit areas and meant we collected less blood than we needed, particularly Group A, Group O and B positive donations.

“Seriously ill patients need blood every day and they rely on the generosity of people making time to donate.

“So, we are appealing for existing donors to check the weather before they travel but, if it’s safe for them to get out, we need them to come along to a session and donate if they are able. If not then please book an appointment for the near future to ensure we keep up the momentum and collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients. Please take action now and walk in and donate – you will save lives.”

You can get more information by calling the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visiting www.blood.co.uk. The nearest donation centre in Tooting can be found at St George’s Hospital.