Nine life-saving Explorer Scouts and their leaders from Luton donated over a gallon of blood in a mammoth session on Thursday 21^st January. Organised by 17 year old Caroline Colclough from Lea Valley District in Luton, the session lasted well into the evening and was one of the biggest in the history of the blood donor centre in Luton.

Caroline got the idea after summer camp in Scotland last year when she celebrated her 17^th birthday. She realised that many other Explorer Scouts in Bedfordshire would reach this magic milestone every year when they could join the blood donor service and provide life-giving help to those who needed it most.

She said “My Scout Leaders regularly donate blood, and now I can do the same because I am 17.  I have also got my Scout friends to do this.  Part of the Scout Promise is to help other people and this was a great way to help as it could possibly save someone’s life!

“It was brought home to me last year by the story of one of our Scout Leaders in the county who caught Swine Flu about two thirds into her first pregnancy last November. She was rushed to hospital for an emergency Cesarean Section to save both her and her baby. She recovered from the ordeal thanks in part to someone who donated blood. She is now at home with her baby boy who has just celebrated his first Christmas.” 

The nine Scouts included three new donors, Caroline and her mother Jane and 19 year old Assistant Scout Leader Kate Jenkin.  District Cub Scout Leader Peter Harry was an early arrival and left to show his Strathmore Beaver Scouts his blood donor site. He said they wanted to know if he had any left.

Nurse Mary McManus who looked after the nine at the Luton Blood Donor Centre in St George’s Square said, “It was a great effort, full of good humour and a lovely evening. We’d love to see them again and with more of their friends.”

Claire Dolling, spokesperson for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "We'd like to thank Caroline and her friends for supporting us by donating blood. We hope that others will be inspired by her dedication and will sign up to give blood or platelets. It really does make a difference, you can save lives.  You never know when you or someone you know will need blood, so we really hope people will think of others by giving the gift of blood. Donating blood takes less than an hour and costs nothing, but is priceless to someone who needs it in an emergency."

Caroline, a trainee vet at Sharnbrook College, added, “Any Explorer Scouts or leaders over 17 years of age who would like to join us are very welcome. Just contact the Luton Blood Donor Service on 01582 681900 and they will add you to the register.”

[Back to News Front Page]