Angus Gamekeepers Back Blood Donor Drive

A group of Angus gamekeepers is encouraging us to give blood.

27 of them donated as part of national blood week.

Lianne MacLennan is from the Angus Glens Moorland Group and says they were motivated by Dave Clement, who works at the Gannochy Estate....

Dave started donating blood after his father Keith suffered an aneurysm six years ago.

Despite attempts by medics to save Keith’s life, including a transfusion which required 22 pints of blood, the 76 year old could not be saved.

Now, after persuading 27 fellow gamekeepers in Angus to donate blood this week, Dave’s local moorland group hope to engage others across the country to do the same.

The Angus Glens Moorland Group now aim to use their Facebook page to try to get other game industry workers to give blood before the end of National Blood Week this Sunday.

Dave said: “When my dad had an aneurysm, he was as fit as fire. He had been out with his Terriers and we talked about tying salmon flies, just the day before it happened.

“It was only when I thought about the fact that he needed 22 pints of blood for one procedure, it struck me how much blood is actually needed just to keep the whole thing going.

“I am sure many others will have similar stories in their families. My dad was actually a multiple donor himself.

“I wanted to donate after that but it was a gamekeeper at Invermark Estate that first got me into going along because I wasn’t sure how to go about it, but I’ve done it regularly since then."