Thomas Bysouth may have saved the lives of 225 people he has never even met.

Thomas, 63, of Wythefield, Pitsea, a regular blood donor for 44 years, has now given his 75th pint. To honour him, the National Blood Service presented him with a crystal plate at Pitsea Leisure Centre.

Thomas was in the Army when he first started donating blood in 1957. Each donation could potentially have saved three lives.

He said: "It is perfectly painless to give blood and I am proud to know that my donations have helped to change the lives of not only the recipients, but also their families and friends.

"It is something that everyone should consider doing because that pint of blood really is a lifesaver."

Matthew Coleman of the NBS, said: "This is a fantastic achievement. We rely on donors like Thomas to keep local hospitals supplied with the blood our patients require.

"Every day in this country we need to collect 10,000 donations of blood and are always in need of new donors."

For more information about becoming a blood donor, ring 0845 7711 711.

Lifesaver - Thomas Bysouth, who has donated 75 pints of blood over 44 years, receives a crystal plate from Helen Cloughton of the National Blood Service

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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