Blood donations are essential to patient care across the UK, supporting both routine treatments and critical emergencies. For air ambulance crews, donated blood is a key part of pre-hospital care, helping patients receive the right treatment as early as possible.
“Each blood donation can save up to three lives, yet only about 2% of the UK population donates blood, and the NHS needs around 5,000 donations every single day to keep hospitals stocked.” NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT)
EVERY PINT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
How to give blood – 4 simple steps
1. Check you can donate
You must be aged 17–66 (or up to 70 if you’ve donated before) and be in good general health.
2. Book your appointment
Book online www.blood.co.uk or via the NHS Blood and Transplant app.
Choose a local centre or mobile session. (Perfect for fitting in around work commitments).
3. Prepare and donate
Eat well, drink water, bring photo ID, and wear comfortable clothing with short sleeves.
The donation takes around 10 minutes and one pint of blood is collected.
4. Rest and refresh
Have a drink and snack, take a short rest, and you’re done. Your donation will support patients across the UK. You can book your next appointment if you wish.