Howzat Culloden!

As a firefighter, William Ford sees the difference blood donors make every day.  However, as a member of Northern Counties Cricket Club, he saw a way to really advance that difference.

'Whether it's work, kids or just trying to find the time, sometimes it seems like life gets in the way of getting round to giving blood.  Despite all of that, it seems pretty clear to me that it actually takes a minimum effort to get a maximum output.  If you just put all of the things that seem to get in the way to one side, it's so easy to make a huge difference to somebody else out there.

'When I suggested to the rest of the team that we should give blood together, it really pleased me to see just how many people were willing to help out.  I got such a positive response and it’s been so easy to arrange from start to finish. 

'We kept on talking to each other about what we were planning to do and it reminded us exactly why we were doing it, and that alone kept us motivated until we found a suitable date to give blood together.

I like to think of giving blood as like getting a haircut - losing it makes no difference to you because your body will replace it, but giving it away could save someone else’s life. Firefighter William Ford

'I'd say to anyone who's thinking of giving blood for the first time, or planning to organise a group donation, to just go for it.  Just a tiny bit of effort from you can make a massive difference to somebody else out there. 

'I really believe that being kind is contagious - goodwill spreads.  Giving blood is so easy to do and the staff at the donor centre are fantastic – they're brilliant at putting you at ease, from the minute you walk in the door.

'Because of my job, I understand how much blood is needed in hospitals to support patients, and as a result how much the stocks of each blood group can fluctuate.  It's so easy to do your bit and help out.  

'I like to think of giving blood as like getting a haircut - losing it makes no difference to you because your body will replace it, but giving it away could save someone else's life.'

Thank you and well done to all of the team members from Northern Counties Cricket Club who came to our Culloden donor session on Tuesday evening. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. 

• To arrange a group booking, call 0345 90 90 999 or contact us online.