FIREFIGHTERS from Wokingham took a break from their usual routines to save lives in a new way; by giving blood.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is helping more people become life savers by opening up their firestation to blood drives.

The first donation session at Wokingham firestation in Easthampstead Road took place on Tuesday, April 26 but more sessions will be help on July 4, August 29 and September 30.

Station manager Luke Coleman, who has been working with NHS Blood and Transplant on this project, said: “One of our strategic commitments is to contribute to a broader health, safety and wellbeing agenda, and working with NHS Blood and Transplant on this initiative is just one of the many ways we are doing so.

“We hope that the sessions at Wokingham Fire Station will be the first of many we can help the NHS to provide and we are currently looking at which of our other fire stations may make suitable venues for blood donation.

“If you live in the Wokingham area, please sign up to give blood at one of the sessions if you can and help us save even more lives.”

The station’s main bay will be specially adapted for the days.

Pauline McKeown, senior sister from NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We are grateful to the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service for their support for blood donation and are delighted to be holding our first blood donor session at Wokingham Fire Station.

“Giving blood is an amazing thing to do and each time you donate you could be helping to save and improve up to three lives. Giving blood is simple and easy to do and will only take about an hour of your time.

“New donors are welcome to replace those who can’t donate any more.

“Register today and book your first appointment at blood.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 23 23.”