A 75-year-old Binfield businessman has been praised for his contribution to the NHS as he donates his 300th pint of blood.

After discovering that his blood type is one in a million at the age of 19, he soon became a regular blood donor going on to include plasma and platelet donation.

David Horton, began his journey when he was studying PE at university in 1966 and now claims that ‘everyone should take the time if they are able to as it is in great demand’.

He said: “I was whistled in with a few other students when I was studying and when they found out that only two percent of people have AB positive blood, I became almost an ambassador.

“Since I started giving blood, I became the go to person when it came to doing non-business business and creating a team to go to the blood centre regularly.

“It’s so important and especially if your blood type is rare. It’s quite literally a lifesaver.”

When David hit the 250-credit mark, which is a huge achievement within the NHS, he was awarded an NHS medal alongside 40 other people during a dinner and ceremony.

He said that although he reached his goal of 250 units in 2019, due to Covid he was presented with his award in July 2022.

“It was such a special occasion. What made it even more special was that when I received the invitation, I discovered it was on my 75th birthday.

“Being awarded an NHS medal after all these years as I celebrated my 75th was such an honour. All I do is go to one of the plasma and blood doner centres once every three months and I can help so many people.

“During Covid I drove up to Oxford multiple times because they were in so much demand during that time and because I have AB positive blood. Although my blood is extremely rare, I discovered recently that I am a universal recipient and do not have to worry if I need a transfusion.”

Although the maximum age is 70 for blood donation, the 75-year-old is still taking the time to donate because of his decades of donations.

Since 2007 demand for platelets and blood has increased drastically which means that the NHS BTS are looking for 140,000 new donors each year.