THE County Ground played host to a constant stream of life-savers yesterday as selfless people came from all across Swindon to donate their blood.

The ground hosts blood donation days every month or two and the sessions always see plenty of individuals committed to giving up their free time to potentially save a life.

Carole Curtis, one of Swindon’s session sisters, said: “It’s always great to see people come along and give blood, and we are grateful for them giving their time for such a worthwhile cause.”

Explaining the process when donors arrive, Carole said that each is given a welcome booklet with information on the blood donating process before undergoing a medical assessment.

She said: “It’s about respecting the patient by making sure the blood is safe but also about recognising our duty of care towards the donor. We don’t want to make them unwell by taking their blood.”

Most people had pre-booked their donation session, but the nurses still offered a warm welcome to any who decided to drop in unannounced.

Carole, who has worked for the NHS for almost 40 years, said: “We encourage people to make prior appointments so that we can be sure we have the capacity to care for people. But we don’t want to turn anybody away because what they are offering is such a precious commodity.”

After going through a donor’s medical history, they are then asked to drink a pint of fluid in order to ensure their blood pressure doesn’t drop, which could result in the donor passing out.

Then, in goes the needle and out comes the blood, though, according to donors, it’s not remotely painful.

Regular donor Philip Howell, 65, from Royal Wootton Bassett, said: “It’s just a sharp prick when it goes in, but that’s about it.”

Asked what it was that brought him to yesterday’s session, Phil said: “I have been fortunate that I have never needed to receive blood. I would like to think that I may have helped people and, even though I haven’t needed one yet, I may at some point in the future.”

Once 470mls of blood had been extracted from each donor, they were then given tea and biscuits to ensure they don’t feel any negative effects.

To find out more information, or to become a donor, log on to www.nhsbt.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.

“We are always looking for more donors and to spread the word,” said Carole.