Facebook pinged up a memory from this day last year when I did the open water swim at Salford Quays. Gogglebox star, Rev Kate Bottley, was also swimming in aid of Children in Need. I like to spread the word about giving blood and it was a good opportunity to don my Give Blood t-shirt and get a selfie with a celeb. We were both feeling exhilarated from the chilly ten degree dip and our fingers and toes were numb, but that wasn’t stopping her from chatting to everyone and having her photo taken.
So….I thought I would add a couple more celebrities here who have helped with the cause…
Coronation Street actress, Nikki Sanderson, donated blood and was happy to pose with staff after she had emptied her arm.
Another Coronation Street actor, Oliver Mellor, should be used to medical issues as he played Dr Carter in the soap. He was proud to show off his plaster after donating…and of course I was very happy to hug him for a pic!
These photos with Ben Shepherd have a link albeit, a tenuous one. I was on Tipping Point a couple of years ago. When I turned up with my fellow contestants we had to practise our introduction…”I’m….A….From…” Well, you would think that it would be easy. It was for the accountant, the singer and the computer programmer, but when it came to me they were discombobulated. I am a donor carer. “Hmmm,” they said, “We don’t think people will know what that is. Could you say you are an NHS Worker?” “I do work for the NHS, but it is officially NHS Blood and Transplant.” “Hmmm.” “Could you say you are a nurse?” “I’m not a nurse though.” “Hmmm,” they said again, “Is there anything else you could be called?” “I’m a venepuncturist.” As the accountant, the singer and the computer programmer smiled pityingly at me the powers that be formed a huddle and decided what I should say. Eventually, they opted for venepuncturist…now call me a cynic, but I doubt Joe Public will know what that is! Anyway, that is the tenuous link between blood and Ben Shepherd…ha ha ha.
Billy Blood is the celeb of the Blood Service and I had to squeeze him in here. I took him along to a blood session at Old Trafford. When I asked if I could get a pic with him in the trophy room staff were more than willing to help…well, he is Billy Blood after all! We were taken, past the queue of Manchester United fans waiting to pay to get in, to the trophy room and then through a NO ACCESS door to the pitch. If I was a football fan I might have been excited, but I’m not although it was good fun.
It shouldn’t need a celebrity to advertise the importance of giving blood, but it always helps. So now the challenge is on to add more faces to my collection. Maybe I should just carry my Give Blood t-shirt around with me and whip it on whenever I see a celeb…..
need2bleed 