Mine's a pint!

5:00pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

A DYNAMIC duo from Bolton are celebrating after donating 150 pints of blood between them.

Kenneth Adams, aged 61, an engineer from Horseshoe Lane, Bromley Cross, has been a blood donor for the past 40 years as has car park controller Barrie Howarth, aged 60, of Thornbank West, Deane.

Each has reached the milestone of donating 75 pints of blood and have been thanked by Bolton heart and kidney transplant survivor Graham Brushett at a special awards ceremony at Lancashire Cricket Club.

"I was prompted to start giving blood by the lure of free tea," joked Mr Adams.

"And the free tea has kept be coming back ever since!"

The necessity for blood donors came close to home for Mr Brushett when his brother underwent a triple heart bypass and needed blood transfusions.

Mr Adams believes more people should give blood. At the moment, only four percent of the eligible population donate.

"I think every healthy adult should give blood and save lives," he said.

"I have kept donating over the years as I could not see a child suffer if they needed blood."

Only one per cent of blood donors ever donate as much as 75 pints.

"Hospitals across Bolton need 805 units of blood every month to meet patients, lives," said National Blood Service spokesman Shaun Almond.

"It is no exaggeration to say that over the years these two amazing men will have been responsible saving countless lives."

Anyone between the ages of 17 and 66 who weighs more than 7st 12lb and in good health can become a blood donor.

For more information and details of Bolton sessions call 0845 771 1711 or visit www.blood.co.uk