The lunchtime event, held at the New Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, honoured long-serving blood donors from London and the South East who have donated blood at least 75 times.

Brian Parkinson and John Williams from Horsham, along with Wendy Wheeler and Peter Parsons from Crawley received crystal plates at the event in recognition of their achieving 75 blood donations.

John Commins, also from Horsham, John Gooderham from Billingshurst and Mr Gerrit Mak and Mr Everhardus Verboort from Crawley were awarded crystal decanters to commemorate their exceeding 100 donations.

The awards lunch celebrates the commitment that long serving blood donors give to saving the lives of others.

In most cases anyone aged between 17-59 who weighs more than 7st 12lbs (50kg) and is in general good health can become a blood donor. Regular donors can keep giving up until the age of 70.

For further information or to book an appointment to give blood please contact our national helpline on 0845 7 711 711 or visit our website at www.blood.co.uk.

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