FORTY-SEVEN years ago, as soon as she was old enough at 17, Jane Sansom joined her Mum, a regular donor, in giving blood at Heavitree Road Police Station in Exeter where her Mum worked.

Three days before Christmas this year, Jane made her 100th donation. This was at the Boniface Centre, Crediton but she will have to wait for whatever her award is to come in the post.

“I began donating blood because my Mum did and the only times I did not was when I was pregnant. I would give regularly somewhere in Exeter when I was working there. I was an orthopaedic nurse,” said Jane.

She is Crediton’s honorary Poppy Appeal Organiser, has also been treasurer of Crediton branch Royal British Legion for several years and is now an enabler with Age UK Exeter.

Most of her job is helping to keep elderly people independently living in their own homes, a job she much enjoys.

“When I first began donating it was twice a year, now it is three times for women,” said Jane.

She added: “Once you have made your first donation, it is simple. People need not worry about the needle,” she added.

All sorts of people give blood, it is a very social occasion, very friendly, relaxing even, the staff are so good but no longer are donors offered tea or coffee. Nowadays it is a choice of a cold drink with wrapped biscuits or a packet of crisps, sometimes a wrapped slice of cake.

These days masks need to be worn and social distancing is adhered to, unless a family goes along which does happen.

Making an appointment is easy, either go through NHS Blood and Transplant website or telephone 0300 123 23 23 or check: blood.co.uk . Most people between the ages of 17 and 65 can donate.

Every year about 135,000 new donors are needed to be sure the NHS has the right mix of blood groups to meet patient needs, every day about 5,000 donations are needed across England. There are 1.3 million registered blood donors.

Crediton has one of 50 mobile blood collection teams visit. Boxing Day saw them working at Bovey Tracey.