SELFLESS Great Western Hospital nurse Hanna Porte (CORR) asked people to donate their blood rather than give her presents for her thirtieth birthday.

She took 11 of her friends, family, and husband, Simon, along to a special session at Swindon Town Football Club to give their donations.

Hanna said: “Blood donations are an essential part of treatment for lots of illnesses and members of mine and my husband’s family have needed blood.

"So I hoped to raise awareness by asking for friends and family to become blood donors instead of buying me gifts for my 30th birthday.”

Although overall blood use within the NHS has reduced thanks to improvements in clinical and surgical practices, hospitals and patients still rely on more than 6,000 people attending a donation session every day across England and North Wales.

NHS blood and transplant senior marketing co-ordinator Karen Healy said: “We are delighted that Hanna took the time to celebrate her 30th birthday by supporting blood donation.

“We always need new people in Swindon to start donating blood to ensure that our stocks across the country are healthy now and in the future.

“I hope that people will be inspired to donate with the knowledge that their donations save lives and that it is an easy thing to do.”

Anyone can give blood as long as they are fit and healthy, weigh more than 7 stone 12 lbs and are aged between 17 and 66. For more information visit www.blood.co.uk.