Council ready for annual blood bank challenge

Thursday 27 June, 2019

Tamworth Regional Council staff and councillors will again be rolling up their sleeves for the Australian Red Cross Service’s 2019 Councils Blood Challenge which runs from 1 July – 30 September 2019.

Last year Tamworth Regional Council was beaten to first place for national honours by three donations and this year Mayor Col Murray is urging our community, family and friends to add their donation to our tally. 

“As a regular blood donor, I’m especially pleased about how Tamworth Regional Council has a strong national standing with the Councils Blood Challenge,’’ he said.

“We were No. 2 in Australia last year and we won each of the two years before that. This year we are calling on our community, family and friends to add their donation to our tally to help us again bring home a win.”

Any community member who donates blood or plasma at the Tamworth Donor Centre can ask to be known as a “family and friend” of Council which will mean their donation will add to Council’s tally.

Cr Murray said while a competition creates an element of fun there is a serious side to the Councils Blood Challenge.

“Our hope is that our efforts inspire other community members to become blood donors,” he said.

“It’s not difficult and it can save lives – just pop in and see the friendly team at the Tamworth Donor Centre or call 13 14 95 to make an appointment.

For more information about donating blood, see donateblood.com.au

Backgrounder – Councils Blood Challenge The Red25 Councils Blood Challenge 2019 is on 1 July-30 September. Councils across Australia are again competing to give the most blood donations in the Australian Red Cross Blood Service initiative. In 2018, Tamworth Regional Council finished second overall in the national competition with 265 donations which helped save 795 lives. A Sydney council with three times the number of employees beat Tamworth’s efforts 265 donations to 265 donations. This year we are urging our community, family and friends to add their donation to our tally to help us bring home a win. Council was the national winner in 2017 and 2016. Red25 aims to unite organisations across Australia to donate 25 per cent of the 1 million-plus blood donations needed every year. Donors can give blood as often as every 12 weeks or give plasma or platelets as often as every two weeks.