A BLOOD donor from Dunmow has been commended after his gave his 100th donation – and is urging others to do the same.

Gwynn Davies, 70, gave his first donation in 1959 when he was 18-years-old and living in Aberdare in South Wales. After 52 years of donations he was given a decanter by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) at a special ceremony in Billericay.

Mr Davies now gives blood at clinics held in the United Reform Church on New Street and is asking people to join him.

“Only five per cent of the population give blood which is a small amount considering 100 per cent are entitled to receive a blood transfusion.

“It only takes an hour and every donation can save up to three lives so it is definitely worth doing.”

The awards were presented by blood transfusion recipient Elsa Hunter who developed the rare blood disorder essential thrombocythemia (ET) in 1994 and later developed a secondary bone marrow disease -aggressive aplastic anemia.

At the ceremony she thanked all the donors saying: “If it wasn’t for blood donors giving blood I would not be here today, they really did save my life.”

Anyone wanting to donate for the first time should be aged between 17-65, weighing at least 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk – the next session in at the URC is on January 12 from 2-3.45pm and 5-7.15pm.