I did something amazing today

.....well, yesterday, actually, but since I stole the title of the daily blog from the Blood Service, I thought it best to say when it was.

6.47 p.m. Wednesday 14th January, to be exact.

I can't remember the exact date I first gave blood, but it was when I worked at Metal Box, so it would have been around 1981. Anyway, in those days, with big employers (and we had about 1,200 on the site) the National Blood Service, or whatever they were called then, used to come out to factories, and set up somewhere like the canteen. That's where I gave my first donation - the Metal Box staff canteen. And I did so every time they came, until I left Metal Box in 1984, and lapsed :-(

They caught up with me eventually, and I now donate fairly regularly. It always bugs me that more people don't donate, although at Huntingdon Commemoration Hall last evening, they were very booked up and over-ran. Ailsa didn't have an appointment but she came along. She DIDN'T lapse after leaving Metal Box, and has now given 30-odd times. Last night was my 22nd and after 3 more I will get a little badge.

You know, more people would donate if the criteria for RECEIVING it was you had to have at least given a few times. I know some people, for a number of reasons, can't. But it is pleasing to see that the upper age limit for donating has been lifted. No wonder there were pictures in the latest newsletter of people receiving awards for 75 donations. Now if Tony Hancock, in his famous 60's show "Hancock's Half Hour, was right, then each time you donate, you give "nearly an armful" so 75 donations has to be several body's worth.

Last night was the first time in ages I have seen someone "not well" afterwards, and he had to lie down with his feet raised. As he was on the next bed to me, I had to hope he wouldn't chuck up. I said earlier, we donated in the Commemoration Hall in the High Street, which is used for all manner of things, concerts (small time) shows, the annual panto, bring and buy sales, 'liquidation' sales. In fact, I bought my last Reebok trainers there. But in addition to this place, I have donated in an old church building near Holborn, the Main Freemasons' Lodge in Covent Garden - a building you might be familiar with if you watch "Spooks" as they use the big door and lamps outside as if the M15 headquarters! I have donated in the Dolphin Hotel in St. Ives, a mobile unit on the industrial estate in Godmanchester, and a few times in Godmanchester Baptist Church, which was formerly a little factory. It was somewhat disconcerting to be laid down, a needle in my arm, with images of religion, and Jesus beckoning from a locally made tapestry which said "I Am the Resurrection and the Life".

And afterwards, as always, a cup of tea and a pack of ginger nuts or custard creams.

Try it, if you never gave before. Trust me, the worst bit is ripping the plaster off your hairy arm the day afterwards.