PLEASE support the Daily Echo’s Mine’s A Pint campaign and save a life in 2012.

That’s the message from Jonathan Sewell, regional spokesman for NHS Blood and Transplant.

Mr Sewell is appealing to Echo readers to get behind the campaign which launched last week to encourage more people to become blood donors.

The appeal follows fears of a major shortfall in donations because of the extra bank holidays this year.

According to the latest NHSBT statistics, there were several thousand fewer donations last year because of the extended public holidays around the royal wedding.

Mr Sewell said: “We are very excited to be embarking on this campaign to increase blood donation here.

“We usually get around 174 donations a week in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area.

“We really hope that this campaign highlights the importance of blood donation and encourages people to consider giving blood on a regular basis.”

Mr Sewell added: “Blood can make a huge difference to the lives of the patient and their family.

“Blood is not just used in accidents and emergencies, components of blood can also be used as part of treatment for cancer and leukaemia.

“As blood has a short shelf life, we need donors to give blood and then return to do it on a regular basis. You can give blood every 16 weeks and each donation can help to save or improve up to three lives.”

Forthcoming sessions

BOURNEMOUTH

• Bournemouth United Reformed Hall, began on January 27 and is running for six days.

• Bournemouth University Talbot Campus one day, February 20.

• St Mark’s New Church, one day, April 25.

• Kinson Community Centre, one day, April 12.

• Boscombe Selwyn Hall three days, beginning on Monday March 5.

POOLE

• Canford Heath Community Centre, four days from February 2.

• The Dolphin Centre, Poole 158 days from January 23.

• St Aldhelm’s Academy, from January 25 for seven days.

• Community Centre, Upton, April 11.

• Broadstone War Memorial Hall, from January 27 for four days.

• Corfe Mullen Village Hall, April 20.

CHRISTCHURCH

• New Milton Memorial, five days from February 8

• Christchurch Priory Hall, seven days from February 2.

RINGWOOD

• For more information or to book an appointment to give blood, visit blood.co.uk or call the donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23, quoting The Daily Echo’s campaign code Z76.

How you can save a life

Only four per cent of the eligible population give blood regularly.

Platelets are often life-saving.

One donor can help up to three adults or 12 children.

Most platelet donations are given to patients who are unable to make enough platelets in their bone marrow.

Platelets can only be stored for a few days, regular and frequent donors are in such demand.

Can you help?

The Daily Echo is appealing to readers to support its Mine’s A Pint campaign by giving blood or platelets.

We are hoping to raise around 500 pints a week to help meet a potential shortfall of donations.