TOWN Mayor Cllr Andrew Malloy is encouraging people to do a small thing which offers huge benefits for others.

The town’s civic leader started donating blood when he was 18, and on May 11 will be giving his 84th donation.

The donation will coincide with his last day as the Mayor of Knutsford.

Cllr Malloy said: “I attended my first donation with my dad in Middlewich. He had been donating for many years, so I decided to go along and give it a go.

“Back then, there was no appointment system, so you'd take a book to read and be prepared to wait for hours. The new booking system is so convenient.

“The thought of being able to help save lives - one donation can help up to three people - simply by giving blood is a no-brainer to me, despite still not particularly liking needles.

“I continued donating when at university, in Hull, then Liverpool, and when I did my Sandwich year in London, and continued when my wife and I moved to Northwich, and since moving to Knutsford nearly 15 years ago.

“I donated plasma for a couple of years after university, but returned to whole blood when the process changed, and it was proving difficult to have to travel to Liverpool each time for this.

“I try to go every three to four months, as often as I am allowed to do so. With the booking system it can take just 30 minutes to donate and be away, an hour tops if they’re really busy.

“I last donated at Mere and Tabley Community Club, the nearest place to donate to Knutsford at present.

“I hope a more central Knutsford location can be found in the near future, and have been liaising with the blood service and potential venues on this.

“I would encourage anyone who is able to give blood; it's a small thing with huge benefits for others.”