THESE two sets of twins know only too well the importance of giving blood which is why they are supporting the Echo’s Mine’s A Pint campaign.

Clare Julyan, 39, of Merley has given more than 30 pints of blood since her first donation on her 21st birthday and her twin sister Helen Larcomb had a blood transfusion after giving birth to her twin girls Kimberley and Ashley in 2008.

“I was at the hospital at the time and we joked that they might as well pump the blood straight from me rather than using their own supplies,” says Clare. “Although I have been giving blood for nearly 20 years, it really brought it home to me just how important it is to give blood regularly because I could see first hand just how much of difference it made to Helen.”

Clare is what’s known as a ‘universal donor’ because she is blood group O negative – the type used in emergencies and for babies. Just one pint of blood can save three lives which means Clare has helped at least 90 people over the years.

“My mother always used to give blood and my sister and I used to go and watch, so it was something we have always been used to from a young age. It’s nothing to be scared of. It’s painless and quick and it can make the difference between life and death.”

If you can support the Echo’s Mine’s A Pint campaign, please visit blood.co.uk or you can call the donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23 quoting the Daily Echo’s campaign code Z76.