A GROUP of blood donors have had a lifetime of lifesaving honoured by the National Blood Service after reaching 1,200 donations between them.

The donors, from Stockton and Billingham, were among 47 people given a crystal award for their achievement at a ceremony held to honour Teesside blood donors.

Pamela Andrews-Mawer, Sylvia Coe, Thomas Elliott, Donald Giddings, John Morgan, Derek Noble, James Rivers, Colin Spencelayh, Georgina Smith, Malcolm Stewart, Margaret Topping, Paul Umbleby, Joseph Wearmouth, Paul Wilson, Eunice Callender and Ian Hayley were all honoured after making their 75th donation.

Mrs Smith, 60, is used to giving out pints of beer, as a former landlady, but it was the pints of blood she gave away free that showed her generosity.

She said: "I thought, I can't help anyone financially, but perhaps if I donated blood I could help someone, somewhere."

The award was particularly important to Don Giddings, 63, whose wife needed blood during a recent hip replacement.

He said: "The satisfaction of helping to save lives has kept me going over the years, plus you don't miss a pint of blood.

"It could be one of your own family who may need a blood transfusion."

Amy Lansdown-Nasson, of the National Blood Service, said: "Stockton's North Tees Hospital needs more than 400 units of blood every month and the NBS needs every drop to save lives.

"Only five per cent of people who could give blood actually do so, and 75 donations is a feat only achieved by a handful of all donors. These people are very special."

People between 17 and 60, who are over 7st 12lbs and in good health can give blood.

For more information, contact 0845-711711 or visit www.blood.co.uk