Newham Council wants residents and businesses to follow the lead of its staff and organise blood donation sessions in the work place.

The council’s headquarters at Newham Dockside in the Royal Docks hosted the NHS Blood and Transplant team. A total of 72 members of staff attended a donor session to give blood and find out about becoming organ donors.

Zeeshan Asghar, Partnership Development Manager at NHSBT, said: “We were particularly pleased with the number of people who gave blood, particularly those from African, Caribbean and south Asian backgrounds who have rarer blood groups that are vitally needed in Newham.”

In the past, the council has promoted organ donation among residents by inviting the NHS Blood and Transplant team to community events such as the Mayor’s Newham Show. It has also published features on blood and organ donation on its website and in its fortnightly publication for residents. Newham also has volunteers who act as donation champions to spread the message across the borough.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Lester Hudson and Cllrs Neil Wilson and Andrew Baikie dropped in on the session to encourage staff.

Cllr Hudson said: “We have one of the most diverse populations in the UK and we encourage our residents, businesses, and council staff to step forward and help save the lives of others by becoming donors if they are eligible. If you are aged over 17 and generally in good health you can start saving lives.”

Public blood donor sessions take place regularly across Newham. There is another session on October 23 at the Old Town Hall, Broadway, Stratford. For more details visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. To find out about organ donation visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk