AS Mother’s Day approaches, the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Service is trying to encourage Droitwich residents to give blood to help new mothers and their babies.

The service supplies transfusions for premature babies to replace blood taken for testing, and approximately six per cent of blood used in hospitals goes toward maternity care.

NHSBT’s lead donor relations manager for the West Midlands area, Shailesh Mistry, said: “In the run-up to Mother’s Day we would like people to think about not only their own mother but also the mothers and families they can help simply by giving blood.

“Here at NHS Blood and Transplant, we are regularly contacted by grateful young mothers who owe their lives to blood donors after receiving transfusions during childbirth. So rest assured, you really can make a difference and help to save a life simply by going along to a local session.”

There will be a chance to donate blood on Monday, March 17 at the Chateau Impney Hotel, with a donor session taking place from 4.30-7pm.

For more information on the session, or to book an appointment, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk.