ONE of Oxfordshire’s oldest blood donors has told people to “not be afraid” and give the gift of life during National Blood Week.

Yesterday the Oxford Mail launched a campaign to find 2,000 more blood donors across Oxfordshire this week.

Donor of more than 50 years Karin Oldham said that giving blood can dramatically improve someone’s chances of recovering from illness “without much effort”.

The 77-year-old began giving blood in her teens when she was studying at Birmingham University.

She said: “They had one of those mobile vans outside the university for anyone who wanted to give blood, so I went and registered then.

“It’s such a small thing and it only takes 15 minutes.

“It’s nice as well as you can have a cup of tea, speak to the nurses. It’s a very pleasant experience.”

Over her lifetime the retired chemistry lab assistant at Oxford Brookes University has given the equivalent of 85 pints of blood.

The blood that she has donated could have been distributed to nearly 260 people.

The Marston resident said: “That’s really good, though it is without much effort on my part.”

Mrs Oldham is one of a select group of people in the county who give blood after turning 70.

NHS Blood and Transplant do not let people over 65 give blood for the first time, and people over 70 can only give blood if they have donated for at least two years before their 70th birthday.

Mrs Oldham, who is also a John Radcliffe Hospital League of Friends volunteer said: “I was asked to stop when I was about 70, but soon after they allowed me to continue as there was a shortage.”

According to the NHS Blood Service, about 40 per cent fewer people signed up to become donors between April 2014 and March this year, compared to the same period 10 years ago.

It is hoped that Oxfordshire will provide one per cent of the 204,000 new donors needed nationwide.

Mrs Oldham has seen the importance of giving blood first-hand, as her mother had several blood transfusions after she was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Her mother died of the blood disease in 1996 but Mrs Oldham has continued giving blood as often as she can.

Women can give whole red blood three times a year, while men can give blood four times a year.

Mrs Oldham added: “I have never felt any ill effects from giving blood, “I would advise people to do it.”

For more information on how to register as a donor and book an appointment, visit the website blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 2323.

Donating whole blood for the first time takes about an hour, but could potentially save three lives.

Appointments are available at the Oxford Donor Centre, in the grounds of the John Radcliffe Hospital.