Eat Real sales manager and blood donor extraordinaire Simon Roberts is celebrating a remarkable achievement in that he recently donated his 100thpint – a feat which puts him in the top 6% of UK donors.
Simon’s blood type – O-negative – is also known as the ‘universal donor’ which means it can be given to anyone in an emergency and is therefore always in great demand. Having now given blood for more than 40 years, Simon’s generosity has been recognised at a special NHS Blood and Transplant Donor Recognition ceremony in London – and he’s now on a mission to persuade more of his colleagues to donate!
“My father was a blood donor and I used to go along with him to the sessions – that’s when I got interested and decided to become a donor myself,” explains Simon. “Never did I think that I’d notch up 100 pints, but I’m just glad that I’ve been able to help people who’ve needed blood in an emergency.”
Simon’s employer, the snacks manufacturer Eat Real, has always supported his dedication to donating blood and is now actively encouraging more of his workmates to get involved. The latest NHS Blood and Transplant campaign focuses on the need for more male blood donors to sign up.
Mike Stredder, head of donor recruitment at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Without the generosity of Simon and others like him, many patients simply would not be alive today.
“His feat is even more impressive as Simon’s blood type is O-negative – our universal lifesaving blood that can be given to anyone in an emergency. To reach 100 donations of this precious blood type is a huge achievement and on behalf of everyone at NHS Blood and Transplant, I want to thank Simon.”
Priyesh Patel, managing director at Eat Real, also congratulated Simon and said: “We are all extremely proud of Simon for reaching this amazing milestone. It’s not always easy to find the time in our busy lives to help others, but the fact that he’s done it not once or twice, but 100 times, is remarkable.”
