AN employee from BNFL Environmental Services, Berkeley, has been honoured with a prestigious award from the National Blood Service.

Over the past 20 years Richard Kelsey, 38, has dedicated himself to the service, which depends entirely on voluntary donations from the general public. To date, he has offered more than 100 pints of blood and donated blood platelets, on close to a monthly basis, to the Southmead, Bristol, apheresis unit.

In celebration an award ceremony will be held in April to acknowledge the commitment of its donors. Corporate communications officer Laura Yandell said: "We are indebted to Richard Kelsey for his amazing number of donations. Less than three percent of donors achieve this award and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him on behalf of the people whose lives have been saved by his generosity.

"We need to collect 9,000-10,000 units of blood each and every day to maintain supplies to hospitals in order that life-saving surgery and treatments can be carried out. That's 10,000 people, like Richard Kelsey, who roll up their sleeves to help save lives."

Mr Kelsey donates platelets during a lengthy two-hour apheresis procedure. The process separates the essential platelets from the remaining plasma and red blood cells, and then returns the blood immediately to the donor.

He said: "Donating blood and platelets is one of the simplest ways to make a difference in a patient's life. For many it's a psychological obstacle so I hope that more people can over-come their fears and realise the good that can be done."

Platelet transfusion can help the recovery for patients with leukaemia and other life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease.

For more information on the National Blood Service and how to give blood contact www.blood.co.uk.

Pictured: Award-winner Richard Kelsey

For more information contact: Sophie Whittle, Press Office Assistant on 01453 812626.

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