FOUR blood donors from Ellesmere Port have been recognised for rolling up their sleeves to save lives.

Brian Ramsden, of Great Sutton, has given blood 100 times – a milestone achieved by only 1 per cent of donors.

The retired British Gas worker was presented with a crystal decanter at an awards ceremony hosted by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) at the Queen Hotel, Chester.

Fellow Ellesmere Port donors Christine Fenton, Peter Hunt and Gwen Rogers – who have each donated 75 times – were given crystal plates.

Mr Ramsden began donating while taking part in an apprentice exchange scheme in West Berlin in 1962.

He said: “A lot of servicemen in the area told us you could get the equivalent of £2 plus meal, drink and transport vouchers if you gave a pint of blood to the local hospital.

“I took up the offer and have been giving blood ever since, free of course.

“The thought my contribution is helping to prolong a person’s life or give them a better quality of life has kept me giving.

“Something which costs you nothing could bring a lot of happiness to many families.”

Mr Hunt, also of Great Sutton, began donating in 1971.

He said: “How many things can you give for free that can make such a big difference, even save a life maybe?”

The awards were presented by Tracey Scourfield, of Wrexham, whose life was saved by six bags of donated blood after she had an ectopic pregnancy in 2005.

She said: “It’s great to be given the opportunity to thank you all.

“I don’t think there’s any way I can begin to thank blood donors though.”

Anyone aged over 17, weighing more than 50kg and in general good health can become a blood donor. For details of local sessions, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk.