NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people to sign up as a blood donor for their New Year’s resolution in 2018, joining the 1,659 new donor registrations in 2017.

Around 900,000 people gave blood last year, but around 200,000 new blood donors are needed each year to maintain the numbers for life-saving blood donations.

Donors are needed from all blood types and communities, with a particular need for people from black and Asian communities to ensure the right mix of blood.

Mike Stredder, director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “It’s New Year and like many of us, you may be thinking about the year ahead and some changes you’d like to make to your life.

“This year we are asking people in Suffolk to focus on giving and to register to give blood. It’s easy to sign up and book your first appointment online or via our mobile phone app.”

Visit the website here or call 0300 123 23 23 for more.