Buildstore blood drive
A huge thank you to Buildstore, who rallied the troops and made donations at our new Livingston Donor Centre.
Situated within The Centre, Livingston and open six days a week, our lovely donors are settling in well to our new home.
Janey Lawson, HR manager at Buildstore, organised a recent blood drive amongst her colleagues as part of a bigger programme to promote and encourage blood donation across the UK’s financial sector.
‘We saw the Blood Bank initative and wanted to get involved too. When our CEO suggested he would support staff having time off to go and donate blood, I immediately knew this was something I wanted to organise. Lots of staff already give blood regularly, but so far nine additional staff have signed up. The first group donated on 7th September, and everyone has said that they will continue to give as and when they can or are needed. Our colleagues have all the information to be able to book their appointment at a time to suit them, and we are delighted to be a part of building blood stocks in the coming months. The location meant it was easy to get to and car sharing from the office was a great bonus.’
Raymond Connor, Buildstore CEO, says: ‘I’m so pleased our team at Buildstore Livingston has adopted the Blood Bank initiative and are supporting SNBTS. As someone who was in need of several blood transfusions a number of years ago, I know only too well that without people giving of their time and blood I might not be here today.’
As someone who was in need of several blood transfusions a number of years ago, I know only too well that without people giving of their time and blood I might not be here today. Raymond Connor, Buildstore CEO
For Janey, a regular donor in Peebles, it was a great opportunity to support new and returning colleagues by giving blood at at different location. ‘I have always tried to donate blood over the years as it’s really important for it to be available when it is needed. My daughter started to donate at 17 years old after a visit by the blood donation team at Peebles High School. Since then, she has insisted that her father starts to donate too so now the whole family give blood as often as we can. It is really rewarding and something we do as a family.’
A special mention goes out to first time donor, 18 year old Katie Carruthers, who had previously heard about blood donation from a give blood school talk in sixth year at high school.
A premature twin, Katie said that despite not needing transfused herself, the fact that as little as three teaspoons of blood could save a baby’s life really hit home. Overcoming her nerves, she said coming along and donating for the first time felt like a brilliant thing to do.
Regular donor Kirsti Elliott was part of the first Buildstore gang to come along and has a personal reason for being so passionate about her volunteering.
I give blood because my mum needed a transfusion when I was young, and if she hadn’t been given blood she wouldn’t have survived Kirsti, Buildstore
‘I give blood because my mum needed a transfusion when I was young, and if she hadn’t been given blood she wouldn’t have survived. She encourages us all to give blood now because it saved her life and she wants us to give because she can’t. I actually went to give blood for the first time on my 17th birthday.’
Donor Recruitment Officer Hayley McDougal was on hand to welcome the group. ‘We were delighted that the Buildstore team were the first of, we hope, many corporate groups to come and give blood at our new Blood Donor Centre in Livingston.
The atmosphere in the centre that afternoon was fantastic. The team from Buildstore Livingston were all so enthusiastic Hayley, SNBTS
‘The atmosphere in the centre that afternoon was fantastic’, says Hayley. ‘The team from Buildstore Livingston were all so enthusiastic, and it was great to receive such lovely feedback about how welcoming, bright and friendly the new venue is. Despite the current Covid safety restrictions, which means we can’t have large groups donating all together, with some careful planning we managed to fit the whole team in and get some great photos too.’
Huge thanks to the Buildstore Livingston team.
- Find out more about giving blood at your local centre as a workplace team here.
- You can book your own appointments using your online donor account or call us on 0345 90 90 999. We can't wait to welcome you!